The Department of Agricultural Entomology of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has developed a trap that does not need any attractants.
The trap exploits the natural locomotor activity of the insect in search of food sources, partners for mating or to avoid enemies or adverse environmental conditions.
Stack probe trap is a device that detect insects in stored grains without any damage to the bags.
It is made of stainless steel comprising a main hollow tube having a diameter in the range of 1.8 to 2.0 cm with equal spaced perforation in the range of 1.8 to 2.0 mm on its upper portion.
It has a bend at one end that ends in a transparent collection unit to collect the insects falling down from the bend, with the other end of the main tube remaining closed.
The trap, developed by S. Mohan, Professor of the Department of Agricultural Entomology, has a patent application.
The effectiveness of the commercial model of the trap was monitored under various conditions.
The catches were collected in plastic containers containing 10 ml of 10 per cent formic acid as the killing and preserving agent.
The number of insects caught were counted and identified.
The trap was found to perform well in detecting pests in commodities such as rice, paddy, wheat flour, chilli, pepper, etc.
For details, contact 94884-58006.
