Impact of trap type, fluon treatment, and lure on the collection of longhorned beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in two forest ecosystems in subtropical southeastern Louisiana

The expansion of global trade has increased the risk of unintentional introductions of non-native woodboring insects, which can cause considerable ecological and economic damage. Monitoring both native and exotic species in managed and unmanaged forests relies heavily on semiochemical-baited traps. With the goal of improving survey efforts, we conducted field bioassays using Synergy Multi-trap system with and without Fluon, and Synergy Funnel Trap II with Fluon, baited with multicomponent cerambycid lures and ethanol, to test the impact of trap design, attractant composition, and the application of friction reducers on the collection of longhorned beetles in two forest ecosystems in subtropical Louisiana from July to November 2024. In total, we collected 5,303 beetles representing 44 cerambycid species. The number of species was the highest in the subfamilies Lamiinae (63.64%) and Cerambycinae (29.55%), with the lamiine Styloleptus biustus biustus alone accounting for 65.53% of total captures. Traps baited with cerambycid pheromones blend and ethanol significantly captured ~2X greater number of individuals than traps baited with ethanol only. When Fluon was applied, both traps were equally effective in capturing cerambycids. Application of Fluon significantly increases the trap capture of the Synergy multi-trap system by ~3.83X as compared to those traps without Fluon. Our results contribute to our understanding of how factors such as trap design and implementation can increase or decrease the capture of target and non-target insects in early detection and rapid response monitoring programs in subtropical regions of the United States, as well as management of woodboring insects of conservation concern.