Preliminary Study of Pan Trapping in Longleaf Pine Flatwoods in Central Florida, USA

Authors

A. B. Orfinger, University of Central FloridaFollow
T. B. Cogen, Lake Nona High School
G. R. Irons, Lake Nona High School
K. V. Kabilan, Seminole High School
B. Molligoda, Altamonte Christian School
A. L. Moody, Winter Park High School
J. F. Wisdo, Oviedo High School
K. F. Phillips, University of Central Florida

Abstract

It is well documented that pan trap color greatly influences arthropod catch composition. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that pan trapping catch varies with habitat. The goal of this study is to present preliminary data on pan trap yield from an imperiled ecosystem marked by high rates of endemicity, longleaf pine flatwoods. Yellow, blue, and white pan traps were evaluated in a section of longleaf pine flatwoods in June 2017 in central Florida, USA. A total of 360 arthropod specimens representing nine taxonomic orders were recovered, with 117 individuals from yellow traps, 125 from blue, and 118 from white. Contrary to previously published data from various ecosystems, yellow pan traps yielded a catch composed primarily of Diptera (57.3%), while blue and white pan traps had nearly equal abundances of Diptera and Hymenoptera (34.4% and 36.8%; 35.6% and 32.2%, respectively). All colors yielded an appreciable amount of Psocoptera. Bray-Curtis similarity analysis suggests that the blue and white traps are most similar in catch composition and both distinct from yellow pan trap data. Our data present interesting discrepancies with previous studies and add to the scant data available for pan trap use in longleaf pine flatwoods.

Recommended Citation

Orfinger, A. B.; Cogen, T. B.; Irons, G. R.; Kabilan, K. V.; Molligoda, B.; Moody, A. L.; Wisdo, J. F.; and Phillips, K. F. (2017) "Preliminary Study of Pan Trapping in Longleaf Pine Flatwoods in Central Florida, USA," Midsouth Entomologist: Vol. 10: No. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/midsouthent/vol10/iss1/3