Basic Equipment for Collecting Insects

July 8, 2023

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This blog post is all about the 12 ideas of Basic Equipment for Collecting Insects

Aerial Net – It can also be used as a beating net if need be. Aerial nets are made from translucent netting so one can see what’s inside. Insects are caught off plants or covered on the ground with a net. Once insects are inside the net, hold it so they move toward the closed end, since they tend to crawl or fly upwards.
Beating (or Sweeping) net – It is used extensively to sweep “like a broom” through vegetation, perhaps with a small netted area at the bottom. A beating net consists of a heavy cloth bag, perhaps with a small net at the bottom. Before placing the net with insects into a killing jar, vigorously wave the net to concentrate insects at the bottom. Let the rest of the body revive and go free after picking out what will be desired.

Basic Equipment for Collecting Insects – Beating (or Sweeping) net – It is used extensively to sweep “like a broom” through vegetation, perhaps with a small netted area at the bottom. Photo Credit – Wikimedia
Aquatic net – The netting is supported by a heavy-duty metal hoop that can either be round or D-shaped. A stream bottom should be covered with the former type. Heavy cloth skirts and mesh have to be durable enough to withstand punishment. Use the net by lying it against the bottom of the stream riffle and disturbing the substrate upstream to let insects flow into it, or take it along the bottom of the pond and “work” it among plants or debris to catch insects.
Dingo Traps – The lush green and exciting properties also have some invasive animals that live there and disturb your living arrangements. Farmers and animal controllers struggle with wild dogs and dingoes. When unchecked, they can kill livestock, frighten residents, and pose a safety risk. Property owners use wild dogs and dingo traps to alleviate these problems. When capturing wild dogs, some traps need shock springs or swivels to avoid harming the animals. If you buy your traps from a company that can provide you with guidance and assistance, you’ll be more likely to be successful. If you are facing this problem, check out Dingo Traps Victoria.
Malaise Trap – Insects that encounter a malaise trap climb upward and fall into a collecting container by following the seams of a tent-like structure made of netting. There are containers that can be used for killing or capturing live animals in alcohol or with dry poisons such as cyanide powder.
Lights and light traps – Battery-powered lights, such as fluorescent “black lights” or mercury vapor lamps, can be strung between two trees in the forest about one-half meter away from white sheets strung between them. The collector then chooses the insects he wishes to collect from the sheet. Supply houses offer a variety of trap designs, including ones that use lights to attract insects that hit the vanes (or baffles) surrounding the bulb and fall into a funnel. In the bucket beneath, you can also use crumpled paper for live capture, along with tins of ethyl acetate with cloth “wicks”.
Pitfall traps – The earth can be filled up to the outside rim of tin cans, jars, or pails dug in the ground. There are a variety of baits available, including dead animal matter and other attractants. Killing agents such as ethylene glycol (antifreeze) are often used as a result of their use. The pitfall can also be directed towards arthropods by erecting boards narrowing to the opening.
Beating sheet – An ax handle is used to strike plants with a large stick, such as a bedsheet. This will knock insects off when they fall under the bedsheet. If the insects fall on the bedsheet, they can be collected. A forceps or an aspirator is then used to collect the insects.
Aspirator – It consists of a tube plugged with a rubber cork, inside of which are attached two tubes: one bent and used to point at tiny insects, the other connected to a rubber tube, which is used to inhale quickly in order to suck the insects inside. An insect screen is attached to the inside end of the latter one, preventing insects from entering the mouth.
Berlese funnels – In order to prevent material from falling out, a narrow spout funnel equipped with a screen is needed. A funnel mounted on a rack or ring stand collects leaf litter, birds’ nests, and other organic matter. An arthropod seeking moisture is driven downward by a light bulb placed over the top to dry out the organic material. A jar filled with 70% alcohol is then used to collect insects that fall through the screen. In order to remove the Berlese funnel, the organic matter must have dried.
Relaxing box – In order to transport the material, a tight container (plastic refrigerator boxes are excellent) must be selected in the desired size. The bottom of the box should be lined with paper toweling that is cut or folded to a depth of a minimum of one centimeter. Leave no standing water on the paper after you moisten it thoroughly with water. Paradichlorobenzene or carbolic acid (phenol) are antimold chemicals that you can add to the water. Observe the specimens on a piece of stiff cardboard placed over the wet paper. The box is ideal for softening bugs you want to pin or spread, whether they are freshly killed or dried. The relaxers can become moldy or mushy if left in too long.
Killing jar – By putting about a 1 cm layer of plaster of Paris in the bottom of a glass or plastic jar of the desired size, you can make a killing jar. As an alternative, you can use a pad of soft tissue or cellucotton to absorb moisture. An absorbent material is added, such as plaster, to absorb a fluid-killing agent like ethyl acetate or fingernail polish remover containing acetone. Ensure that the jar walls are not covered with fluid in order to avoid spoiling specimens. You can separate the insects from the killing agent pad by cutting a cardboard disk if you use cotton or another absorbent material.