Influence of Sticky Card Color, Height and Orientation for Maize Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and the Egg Parasitoid Anagrus atomus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereals cultivated globally and insect infestation, including leafhoppers, significantly reduces its yield and productivity. Monitoring the population density is a fundamental requirement of pest management programs. We investigated attraction of four leafhopper species (Zyginidia sohrab, Empoasca decipiens + Asymmetresca decedens complex [treated as a complex due to morphological similarity] and Psammotettix striatus) along with their egg parasitoid (Anagrus atomus) towards seven colors of sticky traps (four shades of yellow, orange, black and transparent). The impact of different installation heights (50, 100 and 150 cm) and cardinal directions (east-west and north-south) on target species' attraction to the highest performing trap (yellow-1016) was also determined. Overall, the target species exhibited the highest attraction towards yellow-1016 sticky trap. Yellow-1016 captured approximately 2.3 times more Z. sohrab than black and roughly 1.5 times more than orange. All species exhibited the lowest attraction towards black sticky traps. Installation height and cardinal directions had no significant effects on the attraction of leafhopper species, whereas these exerted significant impacts on the attraction of egg parasitoid species. The results indicated that Yellow-1016 sticky traps can be successfully used to monitor population dynamics of leafhopper species. Nevertheless, traps can be installed regardless of plant height and cardinal directions.