Evaluation of pitfall traps for capturing arthropods in turfgrass

Abstract

The turfgrass system is a complex ecosystem where many soil-born arthropods dwell and co-exist. Often, turfgrass is threatened by many pests, such as billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Monitoring pests is an important strategy for effective management decisions. The four-way linear pitfall trap is commonly used to determine adult Sphenophorus spp. population in turfgrass; however, it is challenging to deploy, labor-intensive, and requires regular intensive maintenance. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare trap captures of Sphenophorus spp. and predators using solo-cup, pail, two and four-way linear pitfall traps, and (2) evaluate whether increasing the number of simpler traps improves capture efficiency of soil-dwelling arthropods. The captures of adult Sphenophorus spp. and carabids in the four-way linear pitfall trap were not consistently greater than those caught in the two-way linear or single solo-cup pitfall traps. The four and eight solo-cup pitfall traps captured more Sphenophorus spp. and most soil-active predators than the four-way linear pitfall trap. The pail pitfall trap was not efficient in capturing soil-active arthropods. Thus, increased numbers of solo-cup pitfall traps, at least four in a defined trapping area, could be an alternative to the four-way linear pitfall trap to sample or monitor Sphenophorus spp. or carabids. Deploying and maintaining a solo cup is much easier than a four-way linear pitfall trap.