2nd Place: Optimizing a trapping scheme to detect and characterize the flight period of baldcypress leafroller

Forested wetlands are ecologically and economically important ecosystems that support diverse biota and provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Baldcypress leafroller (Archips goyerana Kruse) is a native pest that defoliates baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.), a keystone species throughout forested wetlands of the southeastern United States. Outbreaks of baldcypress leafroller (BCLR) have been restricted to Louisiana, where they have caused reduced growth, crown dieback, and tree death. However, spatiotemporal analyses suggest outbreaks are expanding eastward towards Mississippi. Given the possibility of expanding outbreaks, it is important to understand the timing of insect activity, such as the peak flight interval, and efficacy of different trap types to guide survey efforts. We deployed paired traps, one UNI-trap and one delta trap, baited with synthetic BCLR sex pheromone at 7 sites in northern Mississippi. We checked traps weekly and analyzed data to determine (i) if traps differed in number of insects caught and (ii) the growing degree-days accumulated at the onset, peak, and cessation of the flight period. We hope that optimizing trapping practices for BCLR will improve detection of endemic populations and help identify areas potentially at risk of experiencing outbreaks.