Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology Hastings College Hastings, Nebraska, United States
Different colored pan traps are efficient in collecting insects, especially pollinator insects. However, it is debatable for which colors to use when collecting specific insect groups. It is also suggested if color preferences by insects could depend on the surrounding habitat. A preliminary behavioral study was performed to determine if different habitats could influence color preferences by insects with the use of different colored pan traps. In the study, a set of pan traps consisted of four colors: blue, yellow, red, and white. Five sets of pan traps were placed in each of the following habitats: (1) inside a forest, (2) in an open area near the forest, and (3) in a rain garden. All pan traps were set up and insects were collected approximately every 24 hours for four days from each pan trap. Insects were identified and quantified for each set of pan traps in all three habitats to determine if color preference is influenced by the habitat. Overall, the use of different colored pan traps in specific habitats can potentially have an effect when sampling different types of insects, including pollinator insects.
