Investigations of Nysius spp. and other insects at Haleakala, Maui during 1964 and 1965

Author:

Beardsley, John W.

Title:

Investigations of Nysius spp. and other insects at Haleakala, Maui during 1964 and 1965

Periodical:

Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society

Year:

1966

Volume:

19

Pages:

187-200

Subject:

Nysius Haleakala

Summary:

This paper summarizes the results of investigations that were done from January, 1964 to July, 1965 due to an insect problem that occurred at an observatory located at Haleakala on the island of Maui, Hawaii. It was estimated that approximately 20% of what would have been optimum operations of a solar koronagraph was lost due to the interference from flying nysius and other insects. The problem appeared to be caused by the scattering of light from the wings and bodies of the insects that were flying between the instrument and the sun. Following the study, it seemed that a possible way in which to stop the Nysius populations from interfering with observations would be through the removal of all vegetation from the summit observing area which would deprive immigrating bugs of harborage and feeding sites. However, since this did not appear to be esthetically desirable, it was felt that spraying the plants with DDT would serve as a convenient way in which to trap and kill arriving bugs. It was also felt that this option should be tried before eliminating vegetation. Another option to be considered would be to change the color of the observatory dome from white to a color that would be less attractive to the bugs.

Label:

Insects

URL:

http://hdl.handle.net/10125/10916

Date:

1966

Collection:

Periodicals