A Carbon Dioxide Trap for Simuliidae (Diptera)1

Abstract

A New Jersey light trap, modified to release CO2, was far superior to a standard light trap or an insect net in collecting Simuliidae in Alabama. The release of 1 pound of CO2 per hour through the trap resulted in optimum catch and prevented heavy icing of the equipment. This trap was operated 1 day each week for 25 weeks and 266 hourly samples of flies were collected. The maximum number of flies taken per hour was 669 and averaged 45. Eleven species of Simuliidae were collected.