UV light traps - how far above the ground?

[Doug Yanega]

>I think the distance increases quite considerably when you are using
>extremely powerful lights. In French Guyana (OK, yes - I've been there
>too, but at a different time to Orville) we used two 150W bulbs at
>head level with a ~400W bulb at the top of a tall poll. The theory
>goes that the top light brings them close and the lower lights & sheet
>draw them down to a workable height. This lighting rig illuminates a
>very wide area and we could see moths moving in following a straight
>line from at least 40m.
 
Based on very extensive mark/recapture studies of Chrysina scarabs done by
Ron Cave and Dave Hawks in Honduras, a 175-watt MV light attracts insects
within a radius of about 200m.
 
Peace,
 
 
Doug Yanega        Dept. of Entomology         Entomology Research Museum
Univ. of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521
phone: (909) 787-4315 (standard disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
           http://entmuseum9.ucr.edu/staff/yanega.html
  "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
        is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82
 
 
 
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------
 
   For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:
 
   http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl