Attraction of Aerial Insects as a Fish Food Supplement

Authors

Andrew J. Merkowsky, University of Arkansas at Pine BluffFollow
Ambus J. Handcock, University of Arkansas at Pine BluffFollow
Scott H. Newton, University of Arkansas at Pine BluffFollow

Abstract

Insect populations over a 1.2 hectare southeast Arkansas livestock pond were sampled to consider the possibility of their use as a fish food supplement. A commercial insect attraction unit was suspended above the pond, and attracted insects were collected. Insect populations were sampled 3-4 nights each month, January-December, 1976. Insects collected were identified and analyses were performed to determine nutritional composition and pesticide content. Insect samples were variable, however, 62% of the insects identified were in the Order Diptera and 97% of these were in the Family Chironomidae. Nutritional analyses revealed insects were more than 60% crude protein. Pesticide analysis indicated 0.98 ppm toxaphene was present in the insects

Recommended Citation

Merkowsky, Andrew J.; Handcock, Ambus J.; and Newton, Scott H. (1977) "Attraction of Aerial Insects as a Fish Food Supplement," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 31, Article 24.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol31/iss1/24