Comparing Chemiluminescent and LED Light for Trapping Water Mites and Aquatic Insects

This research compared the effectiveness of red, yellow, green, and blue chemiluminescent candies and white light from an LED source in capturing water mites and aquatic insects in a macrophyte bed of a small reservoir. We sought to compare the abundance of organisms captured and to determine whether specific taxa showed a preference for certain colors. A total of 2974 organisms in 19 taxa were collected including 7 water mite genera and 12 other invertebrate taxa. The abundance of Hydrachnida (water mites) in the traps was greater than all other taxa combined. The dominant insect taxa collected were Ephemeroptera and Odonata. No statistically significant inter-taxon preferences for color were found, but overall there was a greater attraction to yellow, green, or white light than to red and blue light. Since white light from the reusable LED source performed as well as yellow or green disposable chemiluminescent candies that are typically used in aquatic traps, submersible LED flashlights could be considered a Suitable alternative.