Attracting Insects with Fluorescence...

[Jason Green]

Hi all,

As you may know from my profile, I work as a safety steward for several events such as football matches, concerts and festivals. In doing so, I wear an orange hi-viz vest which I've found is great for attracting different flies and the odd beetle or bug. I've also seen psyllids land on it! Some quite pretty insects.

Anyway, today I bought one personally for this purpose and laid it outside in various positions and so far - have caught one fairly non-descript winged black aphid in the very few minutes I've been using it so far. I'll keep it in use into the evening.

Have any of you tried something similar? Is it more likely to attract flies/beetles/bugs into the evening? What species do you think it'll get landing on it? Any tips on positioning, etc?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts

Take care,

Jason

[riggy]

Does the one you wear at work attract more insects because you are (puting this carefuly as not to cause offence!) a tadge warmer at work (if u see what I mean).

Paul

[Jason Green]

Hi Riggy, not sure about heat. Maybe it acts like a form of fly-paper? The colour atracts them, doesn't it.

I've just had a look at it from where it's hung up outside - and I now have a Banded Thrip, Aeolothrips sp.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Banded Thrip, Aeolothrips sp.

As an aside - there is no such thing as a "thrip"; "thrips" is a singular noun! I mention this from time to time so that we keep it right on WAB ......
PS: I think the plural is 'thripses'.

[Action_Man]

I have an old 70`s flowery shirt, would you like me to send it to you ?, i`m sure it will work better than the high-vis ...