DOI: 10.5061/dryad.1zcrjdg2x
title: Sticky trap pattern size for thrips spatial vision

description: Colored sticky traps are used for the management of many common
 agricultural insect pests. Several recent studies have shown that traps
 can be improved by systematically considering properties of color vision
 for the intended target species. In the current study, we extend this
 approach to spatial vision, using information about the interommatidial
 angle of an agriculturally important insect pest, western flower thrips
 (WFT) Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), to predict the
 spatial resolution capabilities for a yellow flower pattern across a range
 of viewing distances. We tested the hypothesis that pattern sizes matching
 the spatial resolution capabilities of WFT at a given viewing distance
 would outperform traps with mismatched pattern sizes by measuring the
 number of WFT caught on sticky traps containing differently sized flower
 patterns resolvable at either 5, 10, or 20 cm, respectively. We found an
 interaction between pattern size and viewing distance on WFT catch, with
 significantly more WFT caught on traps when the predicted resolvable
 distance of the pattern matched the distance traps were placed from a
 central release point. We further tested the range over which trap
 patterns are effective in more complex viewing environments using
 commercial polytunnels. In polytunnel trials, we found that increasing the
 distance over which patterns are resolvable increased WFT capture up to
 approximately 26 cm, after which WFT capture decreased up to the maximal
 visible range tested (50 cm) in the absence of additional sensory cues.
 Together, these results show the utility of considering spatial vision in
 improving trap performance and offer functional insights to improve pest
 management in visual trap design.
description: # Sticky trap pattern size for thrips spatial vision
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1zcrjdg2x](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1zcrjdg2x) ## Description of the data and file structure Number of thrips caught on sticky traps with different-sized flower patterns in lab and field conditions. Laboratory study: Approximately 50 adult thrips were released from the center of an enclosed arena containing sticky traps. After 2 hours, traps were collected, and the number of thrips on each trap was counted. Field study: Sticky traps were hung at different heights above the crop canopy and left for 48 hours. Traps were collected after this period, and the number of thrips counted. ### Files and variables #### File: Thrip\_Data\_R.csv **Description:**  ##### Variables * Position: randomized position within the experimental arena (A, B, or C) * Count: number of thrips on each trap  * Distance: distance traps were placed from the release point in cm * Size: stimuli pattern size (S = small, M = Medium, or L = large) * Trial_N: trial number * Temp_in: temperature inside greenhouse in degrees Celsius * Temp_out: outside temperature in degrees Celsius #### File: 2024\_Final\_stim\_size.R R code for field trials (Stim_size.csv) #### File: Stim\_size.csv **Description:**  ##### Variables * Stimuli: Combination of stimuli size (S, M, L) and height above crop canopy that trap was hung in cm * Size: pattern size (S, M, L) * Height: height above crop canopy trap was hung in cm * Vis: calculated visible range when the trap was visible from positions adjacent to the trap location in cm * Tunnel: pollytunnel where trials took place (1, 2, or 3) * Row: crop row where the trap was placed (1 or 2) * Count_WFT: number of thrips caught * Count_GWF: number of greenhouse whitefly caught #### File: Lab\_stimuli\_size.R Data analysis code for laboratory trials (Thrip_Data_R.csv) ## Code/software Excel for .csv files and R (2024.09.0+375) for analysis files.