Colour Preference of the Deer Ked Lipoptena fortisetosa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)
Year: 2021
Authors: Andreani Annalisa, Rosi Marzia Cristiana; Guidi Roberto; Jafrancesco David; Farini Alessandro; Belcari Antonio; Sacchetti Patrizia
Autors Affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 18, 50144 Firenze, Italy; National Institute of Optics (Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, CNR-INO), Largo Fermi 6, 50125 Firenze, Italy
Abstract: Lipoptena fortisetosa, a deer ked native to Japan, has established itself in several European countries and was recently recorded in Italy. This hippoboscid ectoparasite can develop high density populations, causing annoyance to animals and concern regarding the potential risk of transmitting pathogens to humans. No monitoring or control methods for L. fortisetosa have been applied or tested up to now. This research evaluated the possible response of L. fortisetosa winged adults to different colours as the basis for a monitoring and control strategy. In the summer of 2020, a series of six differently coloured sticky panels were randomly set as traps in a wooded area used by deer for resting. The results indicated a clear preference of the deer ked for the blue panels that caught the highest number of flies during the experimental period. Lower numbers of flies were trapped on the red, green, black, and white panels, with the yellow panels recording the fewest captures. The response clearly demonstrates that this species displays a colour preference, and that coloured traps might be useful for monitoring and limiting this biting ectoparasite in natural areas harbouring wildlife and visited by people.
Journal/Review: INSECTS
Volume: 12 (9) Pages from: 845-1 to: 845-16
More Information: The research was funded by the University of Florence (Fondi d´Ateneo).KeyWords: chromotropic traps, visual stimuli, colour attractionDOI: 10.3390/insects12090845