I have read that automatic light traps work best for trapping Orthoptera in tropical forests, but I have found not found details about this process yet. Any recommendations on the equipment and methods that work best for trapping Orthoptera in forests would be appreciated. If these details are in a published work that would help too. Thank you.
Hello Leila,
In my experience, at night an extended white sheet is placed on which light is projected and various insects, including Orthoptera, perch on it. Another option is to place a plastic cylinder cut in half, filled with soapy water and over which a spotlight is placed. For collecting during the day, a canvas net is preferable, because it holds up better when swiping it over the vegetation.
Ruben, Thanks very much for these suggestions. These sound like excellent ideas.
Hello Leila; The tough net that Ruben is referring to is called a "Sweep net". You can get this, and other useful equipment from Bioquip.com. They carry all manner of entomological stuff.
I collect ants using pitfall traps and orthopterans are a fairly regular part of the bycatch. You might try some of them. Cottage Cheese canisters make good-sized traps. If they are checked daily, soapy water works as a killing agent. If they are checked at less frequent intervals, porpylene glycol (pink antifreeze) is nontoxic and is pretty long-lasting. I attached a little figure if you aren't familiar with the technique.
Happy hunting, Jim Des Lauriers
James, thanks very much. I think the combination of traps, light, pit and sweeps would be good to use in combination. I appreciate the details you provided, these often do not make it in to publications, but are so very useful!
Pitfall traps are very useful too. However, you should check them frequently to prevent insects damage if you will use soapy water, as James said.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Linguistics
- Composition Studies
- Publication