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A Trap For Capturing Arthropods Crawling up Tree Boles

Informally Refereed

Abstract

A simple trap is described that captures arthropods as they crawl up tree boles. Constructed from metal funnels, plastic sandwich containers, and specimen cups, the traps can be assembled by one person at a rate of 5 to 6 per hour and installed in 2 to 3 minutes. Specimen collection required 15 to 20 seconds per trap. In 1993, three traps were placed on each tree. In 1994, a single trap per tree with a drift fence consisting of an aluminum band wrapped around the tree was used. Trap captures from four l-week samples collected in April, July, October, and January of each year were compared. Traps without drift fences captured arthropods in 63 different genera and an average of 16.3 arthropods per trap. Those with drift fences captured 122 different genera and 26.8 arthropods per trap. The traps captured arthropods from 18 orders. They were particularly effective for capturing spiders (Araneae), ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and beetles (Coleoptera). In addition, the traps worked well in capturing the pine reproduction weevils, Hylobius pales (Herbst) and Pachylobius picivorus (Germar). The traps offer a simple, effective alternative for the study of arthropods that crawl up the bark of trees. They are easy to construct and install, allow quick sample recovery, and can be left unattended for several weeks without sample deterioration.

Keywords

Arthropod trap, bark surface, crawl trap, Hylobius pales, Pachylobius picivorus

Citation

Hanula, James L.; New, Kirsten C.P. 1996. A Trap For Capturing Arthropods Crawling up Tree Boles. Res. Note SRS-3. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 8 p.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/1695