Summary
Early detection of emerald ash borer is notoriously difficult, and an effective artificial trap for the insect is a high priority for national detection surveys and regulatory programs. Numerous studies have evaluated various trap designs, colors, and lures for attraction and detection of emerald ash borer with inconsistent results, possibly due to differing emerald ash borer population densities and tree conditions at the different study sites. Emerald ash borer is attracted to volatiles from ash leaves and from ash bark. Forest Service scientists and partners developed a trap incorporating all of the known visual and olfactory cues attractive to emerald ash borer. They then compared detection rates and numbers of emerald ash borers captured on green or purple double decker traps or prism traps hung in the ash canopy at field sites with different emerald ash borer population densities and found that purple double-decker traps were most effective. These are currently in use..
