Malaise Trap Townes Style

Description

Malaise Trap – General Product Information

Malaise trapping is commonly used for capturing many types of flying insects and are often implemented in biodiversity surveys. They effectively trap a wide range of flying insects (flies (Diptera), wasps (Hymenoptera), and many other flying insects) and may be left for extended periods of time.

The tent-like structure is made of either white or black mesh material. The construction allows for insects to hit the vertical walls of the tent (black) and following the insect’s instinct to fly upwards, they are funneled into a collection jar. Alternatively, the flying insects that hit the tent material maybe stunned into a pan below. Traps are set up for extended periods of time and repeatedly emptied of specimens to monitor the phenology (timing) of emergence and also be used for gathering diversity data, DNA barcoding, and bio-monitoring.

Once specimens are collected from traps, they may be sorted using Sorting Trays, Feather forceps, and eventually identified to the lowest taxonomic unit.

Key Features:

• Easy Assembly: The trap is equipped with poles and plastic snaps, making it simple to set up and take down quickly. Whether you’re in the field or on the move, the snap rings ensure fast and hassle-free assembly.
• Durable and Lightweight: Built with high-quality materials to withstand outdoor conditions while remaining lightweight and portable for ease of transport to the most remote locations.
• Sturdy and Secure: The trap comes with stakes and tension cables/tie-downs to secure the trap to the ground.

Parts Included: 

• 1 Mesh Fabric Paneling
• 1 Large U-shaped Frame/shock cord
• 1 Small U-shaped Frame/shock cord
• 1 Collection Bottle
• 1 Collection Head
• 1 Hose Clamp
• 8 Nylon Cord Tie-downs
• 12 Metal Stakes

Assembled Dimensions:

• Front Height: 70.5 inches
• Back Height: 47 inches
• Width: 47 inches
• Length: 75 inches

Assembly Instructions

1. Unpack all of the parts of the trap
2. Assemble the larger frame by fitting the poles with shock-cord into one another, creating a U-shape
3. Lay the tent-fabric out, and locate the corner anchor pieces for the front/larger panel (they are attached to the black portion of the trap)
4. Place the ends of the U-shaped frame in the anchor pieces of the front
5. Clip the front panel to the frame
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for the smaller frame/back panel
7. Stretch out the tent to the desired location and use metal stakes and tie-downs to secure the trap.
8. Place the collection head with the collection bottom in the hole on the larger panel.
9. Secure the collection head with provided ties.

More Information on Malaise Traps

Learn more about the history of these traps, current research projects, and collecting techniques.

Relevant Literature:

Uhler, J., Haase, P., Hoffmann, L., Hothorn, T., Schmidl, J., Stoll, S., … & Müller, J. (2022). A comparison of different Malaise trap types. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 15(6), 666-672.

Skvarla, M. J., Larson, J. L., Fisher, J. R., & Dowling, A. P. (2021). A review of terrestrial and canopy Malaise traps. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 114(1), 27-47.