[ncsc-moths] Re: everything you wanted to know about lights/sheets
- From: kjchilds <kjchilds@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 09:20:40 -0800 (PST)
I have some strong halogen lights on my back porch that are there to light up
the area around my swimming pool. When I'm in mothing mode, I'll turn them and
my blacklights on about an hour before it gets dark and then about an hour
after
dark I turn off the halogens. The bright lights pull bugs into the area and
then
when they're turned off, everything goes to the blacklights.
Here's an album showing how well the halogens attract bugs.
http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p193/kjchilds/Rods/
Ken Childs
Henderson, TN
Chester County
http://www.finishflagfarms.com
________________________________
From: Brian Bockhahn <birdranger248@xxxxxxxxx>
To: ncsc-moths <ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, February 19, 2011 9:01:53 AM
Subject: [ncsc-moths] everything you wanted to know about lights/sheets
Okay, summarizing posts again for moth night resources. I am very excited I
just dug out a bug zapper from lost and found and looking forward to trying to
disalbe it!
Hows does this sound? I've never used a paid for light trap so if anyone would
like to throw me a few comments on that I can add it.
LIGHT TRAPS/SHEETS
There has ben a lot of discussion on why moths are attracted to light. The
consensus seems to hold that moths are not so much attracted to lights as they
are trapped by them. The light becomes a sensory overload that disorients the
insects and sends them into a holding pattern. In their attempts to escape
they
end up circling again and again until coming to rest.
Elaborate light traps can be purhcased from places like Bio Quip, but you can
also make your own traps using simple methods described below.
SHEETS
For ease of our viewing white sheets are used for a variety of insect
collection
and trapping. A cheap flat cotton sheet works well. Hang it veritcally over a
clothesline or tied up to trees like a tarp, with weight on the bottom to keep
the sheet taught. You can also lay a sheet on the ground underneath your
vertical sheet, or attach it flat to a table.
LAMPS/LIGHTS
Any type of single bulb lamps will work shined onto or in front of the white
sheet. A spring-clamp light works perfectly to attach to a variety of surfaces
such as trees, stakes or other mounting arms. A bug zapper with a disabled
electrifying grid can be hung from above. For remote sites battery powered
flashlights or camping lanterns can be used, but for all night use a larger
battery setup is required. You can take a page from history books and use a
candle or candle powered lanterns!
Although standard white bulbs do attract moths, preferable are black lights or
even better mercury vapor lights. They emit a broader spectrum of light which
increases the amount of moths than can “receive” the light signals.
PLACEMENT AND OPERATION
Open areas such as field edges, yards or trails are the best spot to bring in
moths from a further distance. You basically want to draw in moths from as
many
angles as possible, and from different habitats.
Using a headlamp or other light source, check both sides of the sheet and the
ground for resting moths. Most are easily observed, photographed or collected.
A plastic jar or cassette case can be used for temporary collection and viewing
of the underside.
Moths will be present throughout the night and frequent checks will usually
produce different species. Moth numbers peak just after dark until about 1am.
A check right at dusk can be worthwhile as most will be perched somewhere for
the day and easier to photograph. After first light most disperse or get
eaten. If you find that birds or other insects are learning to “feed” off your
sheets, you should shake your sheet clean when you are done or after your first
check in the morning. If the problem persists move the location of the
sheet.Moth activity varies a lot depending on various atmospheric conditions.
Generally, the best nights are on and around the New Moon (this is because your
artificial lights have less competition from moonlight). Moths also seem to
prefer warm, windless, humid, and cloudy nights (some drizzle doesn't bother
them). Temperatures generally need to be in the 40's or above
--
Brian Bockhahn
State Park Ranger
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
birdranger248@xxxxxxxxx
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