Collecting and Preserving

Collecting and Preserving Insects and Mitesinclude the Steiner and McPhail traps, which are usedprimarily in fruit fly surveys but are suitable for manyother purposes. The inside of the Steiner trap usually has asticky material containing a pheromone or other lure. Bothtraps, as well as similar devices, may be used withdifferent attractants to collect diverse kinds of insects.References: Bellamy & Reeves 1952; Broce et al.1977; Brockway et al. 1962; Doane 1961; Hollis 1980;Jacobson & Beroza 1964; Morrill & Whitcomb 1972;Nakagawa et al. 1975; Nicholls 1960; Nielson 1974;Reierson & Wagner 1975; Steyskal 1977.1.10.9 Light TrapsWith light traps, advantage is taken of the attractionof many insects to a light source. Using various wavelengthsas the attractant, a great variety of traps can bedevised, a few of which are described here.Fig. 13. New Jersey Trapthe insects to develop naturally while insuring theircapture when they mature or when larvae emerge topupate.References: Adkins 1972; Akar and Osgood 1987;Banks et al. 1981; Barber & Mathews 1979; Butler 1966;Catts 1970; Cheng 1975; Coon & Pepper 1968; Davidson& Swan 1933; Debolt et al. 1975; Doane 1961; Gerking1957; Glen 1976; Harwood & Areekul 1957; Hollis 1980;Kimerle & Anderson 1967; Krombein 1967; LaGasa &Smith 1978; Lammers 1977; Langford & Daffern 1975;Levin 1957; Lindeberg 1958; Macan 1964; McCauley1976; Masteller 1977; Merritt & Poorbaugh 1975; Morganet al. 1963; Morrill & Whitcomb 1972; Mundie 1956,1964, 1966, 1971; Murray & Charles 1975; Needham1937; Nielson 1974; Smith et al. 1977; Thompson &Gregg 1974; Turnock 1957; Yates 1974.Many traps can be constructed easily from materialsgenerally available around the home. All wiring andelectrical connections should be approved for outdoor use.Funnels can be made of metal, plastic, or heavy paper.Traps can be used with or without a cover, but if they areto be operated for several nights, covers should be installedto keep out rain.The New Jersey trap (fig. 13) includes a motorizedfan to force insects attracted to the light into a killing jar. Ithas been especially useful for collecting small, non-scalyinsects such as midges and gnats. This type of light trap, inwhich the insects fall directly into a killing jar, is notrecommended for use with moths because such delicate1.10.8 Lobster or Eel TrapThis category includes any container that has itsopen end fitted with a truncated cone directed inward, as ina lobster or eel trap, known as a ‘Reuse’ in German. Anordinary killing jar with a funnel fastened into its open endis an example. When the funnel is placed over an insect,the specimen will usually crawl or fly toward the light andenter the jar through the funnel. Modified traps of this typeFig. 14. Wilkinson Trap16