Refilling dispenser for wet traps used for monitoring aphids

For monitoring aphids, one of the most valuable tools is the Irwin horizontal green tile wet trap, but in continental climates with low relative humidity in summer and frequent wind storms, the liquid of the container evaporates in less than 24 hours. To solve this problem a methacrylate container (resistant to UV light), able to adjust easily to the trap and to be refilled without being dismounted, has been designed and patented. The modified Irwin tile traps were tested during one season in 2006 by following the population dynamics of the aphid species present in a melon crop and in associated weeds in Central Spain. The patented container was able to keep the level of liquid in the trap more than 1 week. Aphis gossypii Glover and Aphis craccivora Koch, both vectors of CMV, were the most abundant species captured.