"CANOPY CATCHERS"

CANOPY TRAP INSECT COLLECTING GUIDE

prepared by Trish Smith, Warrensburg Middle School, 9/04

1. Start by sweeping the area under the tree FIRST...before anyone is walking around under it. Move the sweep net back and forth across the ground and up and down over the underbrush. Keep the net moving and then close it quickly by grasping it closed with one hand. You and your partner should then be ready with tweezers and aspirator to collect insects and place in an open jar of alcohol. Open the net slowly...a little at a time. Work quickly, as many insects will fly out. Be sure to look very closely for tiny, hard to see insects...we want those, too. Label this bottle of insects with your "block number", date, and the tree number (which you can get from the "bark/lichen" team.)

2. Prepare two index card squares by using a PENCIL to write the date, tree number, and UB (for upper bottle) on one and LB (for lower bottle) on the other.

3. Take the alcohol and the two large empty plastic bottles out of your field bag and then carefully, and slowly, lower the canopy trap by untying the line attached to the top. You should find it tied-off to the side of the base of the trap and about as high as your head, or higher.

4.Lower the trap until the bottom is about chest height and unscrew the lower collecting bottle. Carefully pour this into one of your plastic bottles, rinsing the bottle with a small amount of your alcohol to wash any remaining insects into your bottle. Place the LB label inside the bottle and replace the lid tightly.

5. Lower the trap to the ground until the upper bottle is at chest height and repeat step 4 for the upper bottle.

****Ask Mrs. Smith before proceeding****

6A. Now fill the upper trap bottle 1/4th-full with alcohol and screw it back onto the upper net opening, securing it in the loop. Fill the lower connecting bottle 1/4th-full with alcohol. Raise the trap until the lower bottle connector is chest high and reattach the lower collecting bottle. Carefully raise the trap back to its original height and securely tie-off the line to the tree again. Check that the bottom bottle line is snugly attached to its stake (or other tie-off) and holding the trap steady in case of wind.

6B. If this trap is ready to be taken down, untie the line from the top loop and recover the line from the tree. Wind it neatly to store without tangling. Ask Mrs. Smith to assist you with dismantling and storing the trap for transport back to school.