Sunday, September 14, 2008

Pitfall and Dish Traps


Pitfall Trap




Cereal Dish Trap

Another simple but very effective and useful type of interception trap consists of a jar, can, or dish sunk in the earth . A cover must be placed over the open top of the jar to exclude rain and small vertebrates while allowing insects and mites to enter. A piece of bark, wood, or flat stone will serve this purpose.

Pitfall traps may be baited with various substances, depending on the kind of insects or mites the collector hopes to capture. Although most that fall into the trap will remain there, it should be inspected daily, if possible, and desired specimens removed and placed in alcohol or in a killing bottle while they are in their best condition.

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