Attraction of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Lygus Hesperus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), Leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae), and Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) to Ultraviolet Fluorescent Light and Ultraviolet Emitting Diode Traps

The attraction of selected insects to ultraviolet (UV) and blue light traps was studied under laboratory darkroom, greenhouse, and field conditions. Results showed that western lygus bugs, Lygus hesperus (Knight), were attracted to UV light traps in laboratory and greenhouse studies. Leafhoppers, the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (Say), and various other flies were attracted to UV lights under field conditions, while western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) were not. The potential use of UV fluorescent lights for detection, monitoring, and control of western lygus bugs, leafhoppers, mosquitoes, and flies in greenhouses and enclosed areas needs further study.