- This is for use in killing jars, aspirators, and storage boxes. Facial tissue (such as Kleenex) works well.
- This is a suction device for collecting small insects and mites. Several designs are
available. The safest to use is the blow type, which prevents the user from
inhaling small particles, fungal spores, insect eggs, and hazardous or
unpleasant fumes. Aspirators can be purchased from BioQuip Products.
- To catch an insect with an aspirator, put the blowing end in your mouth,
grasp the vial in your hand, position the collecting tube as close to the insect as
possible, and blow suddenly and hard. The suction created draws the insect into the holding vial.
- Insects should be removed from the aspirator frequently and put in a killing
jar to prevent them from damaging each other.
- This is for catching insects shaken from trees and other plants.
- A hand-held beating sheet is made by attaching a yard-square piece of muslin cloth to a crisscrossed frame made of dowels, which are fitted into four corner pockets.
- Rather than constructing a beating sheet, the collector may use a light-colored
umbrella, a white tray, or a light-colored piece of cloth spread on the ground
under the plant.
- This is for storing insects after they have been removed from killing jars. The box should be layered with Kleenex or other absorbent tissue.
- Used for picking up tiny insects and mites.
- This is for picking up small insects.
- Use these for storing butterflies, dragonflies, and other delicate specimens.
- These transparent mylar or glassine envelopes are designed to hold delicate insects, such as damselflies or dragonflies, for permanent storage.
- Each envelope is designed to hold a single specimen plus a 3 x 5-inch notecard. The locality, date, and collecting information are recorded on the notecard.
- Mylar or glassine envelopes can be purchased through entomological supply companies or your local photography store. You can also use stamp collecting envelopes or folded glassine sheets (wax paper is a good substitute).
- Record locality information on notecard, insert notecard into the envelope, place (do not glue) the dried specimen into the envelope, and fold over the end of the envelope.
- This is for examining tiny insects. This is especially handy if it is worn on a cord around the neck.
- Use for doing preliminary field identifications and obtaining information about specimens. See A Field Guide to the Insects of America North of Mexico
by D.J. Borror and R.E. White, Houghton Mifflin, Boston.
- Killing jars are used for capturing and killing specimens.
- Click here to learn how to make and take care of a killing jar.
- A strong knife, such as a jackknife, for opening galls, seed pods, twigs, and
other plant material.
- You can use several types of nets: an aeriel net, a sweeping net, an aquatic net, and a screen net.
- An aeriel net or a butterfly net is a light net which is used for capturing butterflies and other flying insects. It should be made with a lightweight bag and handle so that it can be swung easily.
- A sweep net is made for dragging through brush and vegetation. It is a stronger and more durable net.
- Aquatic and screen nets are used in and around streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers.
- Click here to learn how to make and take care of a sweep net and/or an aeriel net.
- Click here to learn how to net insects.
- Used for taking notes and recording data. A permanent marker is useful for writing data on plastic bags.
- This is used for storing plant material, insects for rearing, or soil and litter samples.
- These are small bottles containing ethanol for collecting and killing specimens.
