Spring Time
Been waiting all winter for all the local garter snakes to come out of hibernation and the salamanders out from the logs.
Been waiting all winter for all the local garter snakes to come out of hibernation and the salamanders out from the logs.
PURPOSE:
I'm interested in finding out what kind of insects will be attracted to a light trap. I'm going to try to get some photos, but we'll see how my camera works in the dark lighting conditions.
PREDICTION(S):
I think it will be mainly moths that are attracted.
SET-UP:
For my light trap, I am using a large salad bowl that is fixed with a ribbon of variable LED lights, with a thin layer of white sheet across the bowl. I plan on using the light at the whitest setting to start, though I may transition to different colours.
For cameras, we're going to use a basic Cannon PowerShot Elph 500HS in hand, as well as a Canon PowerShot SX540 HS on a tripod . Also, probably my dad's iPhone.
The location will be open area among suburban yards. Comments on weather for each day in the Results section.
RESULTS:
September 4th, 2023: 8:40 pm, full dark, partly clear with high clouds, 16 C
I was disappointed to find no insects in the first half hour. We checked again at 10:00 and 11:30 pm, but found no bugs on the trap or in the immediate area. Will try again soon.
I set up five pitfall traps in my suburban backyard. The trap consisted of five small plastic cups, a leaf as cover, and a near bush. The first two cups was buried by two young ferns. The third was buried by a Juniper, and the fourth was beside a some ivy.
RESULTS:
2023-09-01:
The ones below were collected from the ferns:
The ones below were collected from the Juniper:
Can't get it to species level, but this one was found by ivy.
Funnel Weavers, (Family Agelenidae)
2023-09-02:
Again, was caught by the fern trap.
2023-09-03
Today, I set up four larger cups in some ivy in my front-yard. I set them all within five feet of each other and used pieces of fallen bark for the roof. I baited cup one and two with some veggies and a tomato. Cup three and four were baited with dog kibble. I went inside hoping for the best tomorrow.
The next day I was interested to find that the cups had been ripped out off the ground and were scattered around the ivy. I am still curious who might have done it, but I suspect it was a raccoon.