karguez / repository

DIY.Flight.Inercept.Trap.Design

COMPARISON OF BEETLE DIVERSITY COLLECTED IN TWO STYLES OF DIY FLIGHT INTERCEPT TRAP Author: Katherine M. Arguez, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, U.S.A. E-mail: karguez@asu.edu Kyle E. Schnepp, Florida State Collection of Arthropoda, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A. Email: Kyle.schnepp@freshfromflorida.com ABSTRACT Flight Intercept Traps (FITs) are a common, passive collecting technique in the field of entomology. Although effective, ready-made flight intercept traps can be cumbersome and costly. Here we compare two ‘self-made’ designs against each other, based on cost and a quantitative assessment of the diversity of Coleopteran specimens caught during a two-month period (May 5 to July 5, 2018) at the Archbold Biological Station in south-central Florida, U.S. Both the Hanging FIT and “V-FIT” (ISSN1937-8351) collecting surfaces are comprised of 2 mm Polyethylene sheeting. The Hanging FITs have a surface area of 8.325 sq. ft and were hung with their collecting vessels 3 feet from the ground. This trap design takes 90 minutes to construct with a field assembly time of 10 minutes; the total cost for one trap is less than $20. “V-FITs” are set on the ground with a height of 3.25 feet. The surface area is 16.25 sq. ft, construction takes 45 minutes, and field assembly time is approximately 30 minutes; total cost per trap is less than $50. A set of the two traps were placed ~ 4 feet apart at three random localities on "Red Hill", each representing a different habitat type: recently burned (27°11'01.5" N, 81°20'28.3" W), long since burned (27°11'02.6" N, 81°20'19.2" W), and mechanically mowed (27°11'05.4" N, 81°20'38.1" W). Throughout the two-month comparison we conducted five sampling periods. The project concluded with a total of 8,766 beetles identified within 53 families. Although less cost effective, the overall biomass and diversity found in the “V-FIT” surpasses that of the Hanging FIT and makes it the better candidate within the tested Florida sandhill/scrub habitat. DESCRIPTION OF PROTOTYPE DESIGN Hanging FIT This trap is designed to be hung within a wooded area anywhere in the canopy. Its purpose is to collect samples from areas usually inaccessible to other traps and/or difficult in terms of active collecting methods. The trap is designed to be easily taken apart and assembled in the field and can be stacked within one-another for easy storage. Bulk Supplies Purchased For Making Of Traps: - Home Depot: HDX 10 ft. x 25 ft. Clear 3.5 mil Plastic Sheeting: $10.98: 11 traps - Amazon: OOK 50141 12 Gauge Steel Galvanized Wire, 100 ft., 2-Pack: $13.69: 6 traps - Amazon: Set of 2 Darice Paddle Wire, 22-Gauge, Green, 110ft: $5.91: 528 traps - Home Depot 1 in. x 10 ft. PVC Schedule 40 Plain-End Pipe: $3.97: 12 traps - Home Depot: 0.25-in x 100-ft 3-Strand Twisted Nylon Rope (By-The-Roll): $18.99: 6 traps - Home Depot : 30 in. Plastic Wallpaper Prep Tray (Case of 12): $49.80: 12 traps - Amazon: Officemate Micro Size Binder Clips, Black, 100 per Tub (31030): $2.47: 6 traps - Office Depot® Brand Binder Clips, Large, 2" Wide, Black, Box Of 12: $3.99: 6 traps - Office Depot® Brand Soft-Grip Medium Binder Clips, 1 1/4", 5/8" Capacity, Assorted Colors, Pack Of 12: $4.09: 6 traps - Glycerin Supplier: Propylene Glycol 1 gallon (4 pack): $59.99: 16 traps LIMITING FACTORS EQUATE TO 6 COMPLETE TRAPS Each trap is comprised of: - Sheet of 3.5mm clear plastic cut to 30inx40in ($0.37) - Sheet of 3.5mm clear plastic cut to 38inx48in ($0.56) - 13 gauge galvanized steel wire cut approximately 158in long ($0.90) - Two pieces of 12 gauge galvanized steel wire cut approximately 10in long ($0.06) - Two pieces of 12 gauge galvanized steel wire cut approximately 16in long ($0.09) - One length of 1/2in rebar, 24in long ($2.20) - One length of floral wire cut approximately 5in long ($0.01) - 1in diameter PVC pipe cut to 30in ($0.33) - Main trap body requires approximately 120in of 0.25in twisted nylon rope ($1.90) - 0.25in twisted nylon rope; length variable, depends on where user is hanging the trap (~$1.90) - 30-inch wallpaper prep tray (this project utilizes “Zinsser 98030 30in wallpaper prep tray” in yellow) ($4.15) - Approximately 16 mini binder clips ($0.78) - 2 large binder clips ($0.67) - 2 medium binder clips ($0.68) - Propylene Glycol ($3.75) TOTAL COST FOR EACH TRAP: $18.35 Extra supplies required (not included in trap costs): - Wire cutters - Needle nose pliers - Clothes iron - Wooden board - Two sheets of parchment paper - Dremel Tool Composition: Determine where the trap will be placed. The trap should be in a semi-wooded area to protect from wind and the trap should theoretically be able to run for upwards of 2-3 weeks without service. The body of the trap is composed of approximately 120in of 0.25in twisted nylon rope. The rope is looped through the 1in diameter PVC pipe cut to 30in, this is the top of the trap. Both ends of the rope are then looped through the two holes on the lateral margins of the “Zinsser 98030 30in wallpaper prep tray” and tied. This creates the rectangular frame of the FIT. Using the Dremel, make a small hole on either side of the top lip of the “Zinsser 98030 30in wallpaper prep tray,” approximately 1in. from the end of the trap where the rope is tied. Loop a pieces of the 13 gauge galvanized steel wire cut approximately 10in long in each hole and twist upwards to hold it in place using the needle nose pliers. Bend the top of each wire into a ‘hook-like’ shape and position ‘hook’ so that both are grasping the rope. Use the floral wire, cut approximately 5in long, to tie the two ‘hooks’ to the rope securely. Using the needle nose pliers, bend one end of the 13 gauge galvanized steel wire, cut approximately 16in long, into a loop so that is securely fastened above the knot of the rope under the lip on the “Zinsser 98030 30in wallpaper prep tray” rim; repeat on opposite side. Loop the opposite end of the 16in long wire several times on either end of the 1/2in rebar, 24in long. The rebar should hang laterally approximately 6in from the “Zinsser 98030 30in wallpaper prep tray.” Wrap the sheet of 2mm clear plastic cut to 30inx40in twice around the 1in diameter PVC pipe cut to 30in. Place the two large binder clips on either end of the PVC pipe, hold the plastic in place. Fold the edges of the plastic sheet around the rope making the frame of the trap and using the mini binder clips (approximately 8 on each side), secure the plastic in place; make sure the plastic is tight for the trap to work most efficiently. Take the 13 gauge galvanized steel wire, cut approximately 158in long, and bend into a rectangular shape (34inx44in) and loop ends together to close the rectangle. On top of the wooden board covered in a sheet of parchment paper, position said metal wire rectangle centered on the sheet of 2mm clear plastic cut to 38inx48in. Cut a 4inx4in square from each corner of the plastic sheet so that the inner most corner of each cut square is in contact with the wire metal square. Fold the excess plastic over the metal wire frame and place a second sheet of parchment paper over, hold securely. Using the clothes iron set on medium-low heat, gently melt the plastic fold to the plastic underneath. Make sure not to burn holes through. Repeat for all four sides. This is the rain cover. Once an area is chosen for the trap, determine how much rope is needed to secure the trap between two points (i.e. trees, pole, etc.). Loop the determined length of rope through the PVC pipe and securely fasten the trap between said two points. Carefully remove the large binder clips from the PVC pipe. Bend the rain cover on the 34in side in the center and place over the PVC pipe and secure in place with the original two large binder clips. Bend metal frame of rain cover to best shield the collecting tray from rain. Orient the trap on the rope in the best possible position so that it is as horizontal as possible. Using the two medium binder clips, clip the trap into place by clipping the binder clips securely to the rope so that the trap cannot slide. Pour enough ethylene glycol to cover base of tray to approximately 2-3cm. V-FIT: This trap is designed to catch low flying insects. It is made to be taken apart and assembled quickly in the field and to be compact for easy storage when disassembled. The trap is made to be able to go three weeks without service. Bulk Supplies Purchased For Making Of Traps: - Home Depot: HDX 10 ft. x 25 ft. Clear 3.5 mil Plastic Sheeting: $10.98: 5 traps - Amazon: DOBI ½ size Disposable Aluminum Foil Steam Table Deep Pans (30 Pack): 30 traps - Home Depot:Acorn International 2inx2ftx25ft Chicken Zaire: $22.99: 6 traps - Glycerin Supplier: Propylene Glycol 1 gallon(4 pack): $59.99: 8 traps LIMITING FACTORS EQUATE TO 5 COMPLETE TRAPS Each trap is comprised of: - Three 5ft poles of metal conduit ($8.85) - Two 10ft poles of metal conduit ($11.80) - 5ftx8.5ft sheet of 3.5mm plastic ($1.87) - Four 24in pieces of rebar - Four “1/2in. EMT/Rigid Pull Elbow” (90 degree angle elbow fixture) ($11.12) - 10 large binder clips ($3.33) - 4 x DOBI 1/2 size disposable aluminum foil steam table deep pans, 35 gauge aluminum ($0.64) - 1.5ftx5ft section of chicken wire ($2.76) - Propylene glycol ($7.50) TOTAL COST FOR EACH TRAP: $47.87 Extra supplies required: - Phillips head screwdriver - Conduit bender - Mallet - Saw/Trimmers - Vice - Hollow pipe large enough to for rebar Composition: Decide on an area for the trap. Using the saw/trimmers remove any debris or shrubs from selected area. Secure the rebar in the vice and slip exposed end into the length of hollow pipe 5-6in down. Bend downwards to create a hook. Repeat for all rebar pieces. Using the conduit bender, bend both section of 10ft metal conduit 3.3333ft from each end 90 degrees, making a metal “U.” Using the Philips head screwdriver, secure a “1/2in. EMT/Rigid Pull Elbow” to each end of the two results “U’s.” Connect the two “U’s” using the 5ft metal conduit poles; be certain that the elbows are securely fastened to the poles. This is the frame for the trap. Drape the 5ftx8.5ft sheet of 2mm plastic over the 5ft sections of the frame and fasten plastic on said frame with four large binder clips on either side of the trap. Place all four aluminum pans directly under the “V” created by the plastic in a centered, straight line across the interior of the trap. Cover the aluminum trays with the chicken wire and mold the chicken wire around the rim of the aluminum trays; verify that all the trays rims are overlapping to prevent loss of specimens through gaps. Place remain 5ft metal conduit pole on the plastic, this should emphasize the “V” shape. Alter the plastic as necessary so that the apex of the “V” is just above the trays, slight grazing the chicken wire. Once the plastic is at the correct length, clip the remaining two larger binder clips to the very edges of the pole on the plastic (be sure that the pole is centered over the aluminum trays) and remove metal attachments from clips. Using the gallon of 50/50 solution of water and Propylene glycol, fill all four trays evenly. Anchor the two ends of the trap with two bent rebar pieces using the mallet. METHODS Three locations on Red Hill were randomly selected, each demonstrating a specific habitat: - Recently burned (27.183749, -81.341185) - Long since burn (27.184057, -81.338672) - Mechanically mowed (27.184835, -81.343903) At each location a Hanging FIT and V-FIT were erected at approximately five feet from one another. Traps were serviced approximately every 2 weeks (weather allowing). Each traps catch was collected separately and labeled with the appropriate locality information. The duration of the project was March 5, 2018 – July 5, 2018. There were five sampling periods: May5-May20, 2018, May20-June2, 2018, June2-June12, 2018, June12-June17, 2018, June17-July5, 2018. Samples were then sorted to separate coleoptera from bycatch, coleopteran specimens then sorted to family. RESULTS Although less cost effective, the overall biomass and diversity found in the “V-FIT” surpasses that of the Hanging FIT and makes it the better candidate within the tested Florida sandhill/scrub habitat. These data were specific to the Florida scrub/sandhill habitat along the Lake Wales Ridge, therefore it is important to state that the outcomes of this project may not correspond other habitat type. Specifically if one is looking to study/collect canopy dwelling species, where the Hanging FIT would be most effective. FURTHER TRAP USES - Testing for hypothesized taxa is in the area, especially for specimens with flightless sexes, - Testing for taxa that fly in inclement whether, and - Testing multiple localities for long periods of time.