Beetle Traps for your yard or farm
Comparison of Palm Pest Traps
1. Hoyt Trap
Description:
The Hoyt Trap consists of a vertical PVC tube, about 1.25 meters tall, partially buried (300mm) in the ground. It has a narrow opening (35mm) at the top for attracting beetles. The lure or attractant is usually placed inside the upper section.
Advantages:
- Simple design and easy to install.
- Effective in catching flying adult beetles near ground level.
- Low maintenance and inexpensive to build.
Disadvantages:
- Limited catch capacity compared to bucket traps.
- Ground placement may expose it to moisture and debris.
- May not perform well in heavy rain or windy coastal areas of Honolulu.
2. Bucket Trap
Description:
The Bucket Trap consists of a suspended bucket (height adjustable 1500–1800mm) with holes on the lid for beetle entry. A pheromone lure is hung in the center, and a killing agent (such as vegetable oil or detergent water) is placed inside.
Advantages:
- Widely used in Hawaii for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) monitoring.
- Easy to maintain and relocate.
- Can collect large numbers of beetles.
- Resistant to rainfall if covered properly.
Disadvantages:
- Requires hanging support (tree or post).
- Attracts non-target insects if lure concentration is high.
- Buckets can heat up under strong Hawaiian sun, reducing lure effectiveness.
3. Pipe Trap
Description:
A vertical PVC pipe trap (~2m high) with several entry holes and a pheromone lure inside. A collection cup at the bottom captures trapped beetles. It is designed for semi-permanent field installation.
Advantages:
- Provides good protection for lure and bait from rain and sunlight.
- Effective for long-term monitoring.
- Durable and reusable.
Disadvantages:
- More complex to construct.
- Requires stable ground and support against wind.
- Difficult to clean or empty compared to bucket traps.
4. Pan Trap
Description:
The Pan Trap is a shallow container (~800mm high) with a grid cover and pheromone lure hanging under the lid. It uses water, detergent, or sand at the base to immobilize trapped beetles.
Advantages:
- Effective for ground-level crawling beetles and smaller insects.
- Low cost and easy to construct.
- Can be placed in shaded or open field environments.
Disadvantages:
- Limited efficiency for flying beetles like CRB in open areas of Honolulu.
- Susceptible to flooding during rain.
- Requires frequent maintenance.
Summary for Use in Honolulu, Hawaii
The Bucket Trap remains the most suitable option for the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle monitoring in Honolulu due to its proven effectiveness, weather resistance, and ease of maintenance. The Pipe Trap may be used for research or semi-permanent installations, while the Hoyt and Pan Traps are better suited for small-scale or experimental use.
Bucket Trap
Materials Needed
Plastic bucket or sturdy container (about 1–2 gallons/liters, with lid)
Wire or strong cord (for hanging)
Tekken netting (1-inch mesh, or similar durable netting)
CRB pheromone lure (commercially available as “oryctalure” containing ethyl 4-methyloctanoate)
Small UV LED light (optional, but increases trap effectiveness5)
Entry funnel or holes (2–3 inches diameter)
Drain holes (¼ inch, for rainwater drainage)
Bait (optional): Small amount of decaying coconut wood or fiber
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Trap Container
Drill or cut 2–3 entry holes (2–3 inches wide) near the top of the bucket/container. These should be large enough for adult beetles to enter but not so large that they easily escape.
Drill several small (¼ inch) holes in the bottom for drainage2.
2. Attach Entry Funnel (Optional)
If possible, fit a simple funnel (made from plastic or netting) to each entry hole, with the narrow end inside. This makes it harder for beetles to escape.
3. Install the Pheromone Lure
Hang the pheromone lure (oryctalure) from the inside of the lid, so it is suspended in the center of the trap125.
Replace the lure as directed by the manufacturer (typically every 4–6 weeks).
4. (Optional) Add a UV LED Light
Attach a small, battery- or solar-powered UV LED just above or inside the trap. This significantly increases beetle catch rates15.
Ensure the light is shielded from rain and direct sun.
5. Add Bait (Optional)
Place a small amount of decaying coconut wood, fiber, or palm debris in the bottom to increase attractiveness.
6. Secure the Lid
Snap or screw the lid tightly to prevent escape and keep out rain.
7. Attach Hanging Wire
Thread strong wire or cord through holes in the rim or handle of the bucket for hanging.
8. Hang the Trap
Hang the trap in the crown of the palm tree, as high as safely possible, ideally near where fronds attach to the trunk2. In Sri Lanka and Guam, traps are often suspended from a sturdy frond or branch.
Alternative: “Bow Tie” Netting Trap
Cut a 3 ft x 3 ft piece of netting.
Place a 2-inch rock or weight in the center.
Tie 2–3 knots to form a “bow tie.”
Tuck the bow tie into the pockets where palm fronds attach to the trunk throughout the tree top. This passively traps beetles as they try to burrow in2.
Maintenance & Monitoring
Check traps weekly for beetles and to replace lures or batteries.
Dispose of trapped beetles responsibly (do not release).
Clean and rebait as needed.
Tips for Success
Place traps in open areas or at the crown, away from dense palm clusters, to maximize attraction23.
Use multiple traps for larger trees or groves.
Combining pheromone lures with UV light improves effectiveness5.
Traps are best for monitoring and early detection, not complete eradication14.
References
[USDA Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet 191]1
[University of Guam CRB Trapping Methods]2
[Hawaii Department of Agriculture CRB Response]4
[Hawaiian Entomological Society – UV Light and Pheromone Trapping]5
