Professional Insect Traps

The most commonly used trap is the Delta trap. The pheromone lure in the trap attracts the adult moth and catches it on the sticky insert inside. These inserts can be replaced once full of moths.

The Delta trap is made from treated cardboard, which is designed to last one season and should be replaced the following season with a new Delta trap.

A more recent innovation is the Castellation trap, which does not need sticky inserts, as once the moth enters the trap it can not escape. The trap is made from clear plastic, so the amount of moths caught can be viewed to check numbers.

For large moth species it may be necessary to use McPhail or Funnel traps [both made from UV strengthened plastic]. These traps are also less affected by dust, which may quickly fill up the sticky surfaces of a Delta trap in a field crop situation. Castellation, Funnel and McPhail traps can be re-used if using the same pheromone lure, it is not possible to re-use traps using different types of lures. Plastic traps can be washed and re-used, cardboard traps last for one season only.