Water trap for Tuta absoluta

Water Trap: Intelligent Monitoring of Soil and Aerial Pests

The water trap was specially developed for the effective monitoring of small and medium-sized lepidopterans, such as Tuta absoluta and Duponchelia fovealis, as well as coleopterans that act at soil level, whose larvae attack the root zone and the tubers of various crops - such as Cylas puncticollis, a critical pest in sweet potato and other vegetables.

Technology adapted to pest behaviour

This versatile trap allows the capture of insects that act:

• At crop canopy level (adult lepidopterans in flight);
• At soil level (coleopterans that act at soil level).

Its installation can be adjusted according to the biological target, ensuring precision in monitoring and efficiency in capture.

Composition of the trap

• Red collector tray: Diameter: 32 cm; Height: 4.5 cm; Includes a central post of 5.5 cm to support the dispenser cage;
• Cage with lid (green): Designed to house the specific pheromone dispenser or attractant (purchased separately), fitting directly onto the central post.

Recommended density

• Initial monitoring: 20 traps per hectare;
• High infestation: up to 35 - 40 traps per hectare.

The density can be adjusted according to the pest pressure levels and the monitoring objectives (early detection vs. precision monitoring).

Efficiency and maintenance

• Add water with a few drops of vegetable oil or neutral soap to increase the retention of the captured insects;
• Recommended periodic maintenance: cleaning every 1 - 2 weeks or daily in cases of high capture;
• Reusable for several years under normal conditions of use.

Dose: 20 to 40 traps w/ dispenser/ha (depending on the objective, plot, crop density, season and intensity of the attack).

Attention: Do not add water up to the complete filling of the trap, allow 1 cm of the side of the trap to remain free of water (avoids the escape of the insects). Adding a few drops of neutral soap or unused vegetable oil to the water helps the retention of the captured insects in the body of water in the trap. Frequent monitoring is recommended to top up the evaporated water and clean the traps. It is possible to use other trap colours for the capture of these insects, namely: black and transparent / translucent.