light traps

[Dr. James Adams]

Dear Listers,

    Although I'm an avid moth collector, both as a researcher and 
recreationally, I have always detested the use of light traps that 
kill virtually everything that enters them.  I definitely am a pick 
and choose kind of guy.  I have seen walk-in, screened in light traps, 
with the light mounted on top and a funnel to direct the moths and 
other insects down into the cage.  This allows the investigator to 
get some sleep, and still get an idea of the entire night's worth of 
activity.  He/she can also then select what is desired, and release 
what is not.  A large screened in cage like this makes it less likely 
that the insects will completely destroy one another in a bucket as 
well.  One problem:  this kind of light trap is too large to use 
anywhere but at home, or in the field *if* you have a large transport 
vehicle.  

    I would like to say, however, that I do understand the use of the 
"kill-all" light trap for certain research purposes.  It likely can 
give a greater overall picture of both the entire fauna and 
individual abundances, *if* this is the point of the capture.  It 
still seems like a lot of overkill to me, but, after all, as we have 
discussed in past threads, insects have high replacement capabilities 
in general (some of Doug's solitary hymenopterans and others 
notwithstanding . . .

    James