title: Spatial analysis of mass trapping: how close is close enough?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The identification of new attractants can present opportunities for developing mass trapping, but standard screening methods are needed to expedite this. We have developed a simple approach based on quantifying trap interference in 4 × 4 trap arrays with different spacings. We discuss results from sex pheromones in Lepidoptera (light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana), Diptera (apple leaf curling midge, Dasineura mali) and Homoptera (citrophilous mealybug, Pseudococcus calceolariae), compared with a kairomone for New Zealand flower thrips (Thrips obscuratus).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ratio of catch in corner traps to catch in centre traps was 25:1 at 750 D. mali traps ha(-1) , and was still ∼5:1 at 16 traps ha(-1) , suggesting trap interference even at such low trap densities. Trap competition for sex pheromone lures at close spacing (<5 m) was evident in 16-trap arrays of P. calceolariae, but less so for E. postvittana. No trap competition was observed at 4 m spacings with the kairomone for T. obscuratus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ratio of catch in traps in the corner and centre of a 16-trap array at different spacings offers a rapid preliminary assessment method for determining the potential for mass trapping. Additional knowledge of vital rates and dispersal is needed for predicting population suppression. Our approach should have value in mass trapping development. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand.|School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand.|Better Border Biosecurity, New Zealand.|Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Suckling
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand.|School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand.|Better Border Biosecurity, New Zealand.|Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Lloyd D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Stringer
authors.affiliation: Better Border Biosecurity, New Zealand.|AgResearch Limited, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kean
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Hastings, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Hastings, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Vaughn
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Hastings, New Zealand.
authors.forename: James Ts
authors.initials: JTs
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand.|Better Border Biosecurity, New Zealand.|Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Twidle
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 62731, Yautepec, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Pérez
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand.|Better Border Biosecurity, New Zealand.|Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Ashraf M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: El-Sayed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000502:physiology; D007300:Insect Control / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000502:physiology; D061149:Thysanoptera / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Dasineura mali; Epiphyas postvittana; Pseudococcus calceolariae; Thrips obscuratus; arthropod; mass trapping; pheromone; semiochemical; vertebrate