Soda-bottle trap baited with hand sanitizer is an effective tool for large-scale monitoring of bark and ambrosia beetles

Trapping studies show that bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidea: Scolytinae & Platypodinae) are abundant and diverse in Florida, with several introduced species of economic importance, and new introductions increasing in frequency. Future monitoring efforts can be aided by wider availability of traps, however, traps and attractants that are typically used are unavailable to the general public. The goal of this study was to develop a simple, effective trap using easily obtained materials that can be made and deployed by anyone interested in monitoring or collecting these insects, including forest managers, parks personnel and citizen scientists. We compared the effectiveness of three different trap types and, separately, four different attractants. In comparing three different configurations of window traps made from plastic 2-litre soda bottles, we found that simple, one-window traps captured the greatest number of species whereas one-window traps painted brown captured the most individuals. Two-window traps captured neither the most, nor the fewest, individuals or species. A comparison of attractants in two-window traps found that 95% ethanol, which is not readily available to the public, attracted the highest number of species but that Purell hand sanitizer (70% ethanol) and then Germ-X hand sanitizer (63% ethanol) were also reasonably effective. A lure of Purell hanging over a trap filled with Prestone low-tox antifreeze attracted the fewest species and individuals. In conclusion, we suggest that simple one-window soda bottle traps baited with ethanol-based hand sanitizer will be simple, effective and inexpensive tools for large scale monitoring of bark and ambrosia beetles.