Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What is the main attraction method used in light traps?

1. Using sweet bait

2. Using ultraviolet or black lights

3. Using pesticides

4. Using mechanical traps

The correct answer is: Using ultraviolet or black lights

Light traps primarily utilize ultraviolet or black lights as their main attraction method. These types of lights emit wavelengths that are highly attractive to many nocturnal insects, especially moths and various types of flying pests. When insects are drawn to the light, they often become trapped in a collection device, allowing for monitoring or control of pest populations. The use of ultraviolet or black lights leverages the natural behavior of insects, as certain wavelengths of light mimic the light of the moon or stars, which these insects use for navigation. This specific attraction is crucial for effective light trapping, making it a widely employed technique in pest management. Other methods mentioned, such as using sweet baits or pesticides, serve different purposes in pest control and monitoring. Sweet baits may attract specific types of flies but are not the primary mechanism for light traps, which rely mainly on the visual attraction of light. Mechanical traps might capture insects but do not use light as their primary means of attraction. Pesticides serve to kill pests rather than attract them, making them unrelated to this particular method of trapping. Thus, ultraviolet or black lights are clearly the focal point in the context of light traps.