Our last Flying Insect survey of the year (led by Ron Rutowski) was conducted in the evening using Light Trapping. Sangmi Lee, manager, and 3 students (Andrew Jansen, Michael Schillingburg and Naomi Pier) from the Nico Franz entomology lab at ASU led us into the Preserve and set up two locations to trap flying insects. Two different light sources were used. Mercury Vapor and Black Light. It was interesting to learn that each attracted different insects!
It was a slow night for insects but it was so much fun and we did get to observe a few interesting species including a Praying Mantis and a weird looking cricket. The majority of flying visitors were moths and other extremely small flying insects. Some of the moths were scooped into plastic containers easily but the tiny ones were collected using a glass vial aspirator…..a tool I had never seen. We were all given the opportunity to try it and only a few did including a child who came with his parents. I was happy just taking photos 🙂 I quickly learned I didn’t have nearly enough light but I learned from the experience and will be prepared for when we do it again (approx May).
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Melanie Tluczek explains what we will be doing.
Happy volunteers heading out to trap flying insects
Setting up the Mercury Vapor light trap
Waiting for visitors to the Mercury Vapor light trap
Geometrid Moth. This is what an inchworm turns into.
Small Praying Mantis
Small Praying Mantis
Unidentified cricket was our largest visitor
Aspirating insects into a glass vial
A brave little boy aspirating tiny insects into a glass vial.
Bush beating into a net was also used. The majority of insects were hardly visible. Pictured are Melanie Tluczek (L), Michael Schillingburg and Naomi Pier
Waiting for visitors to the black light trap
Andrew Jansen Observing and talking about captured flying insects
Michael Schillingburg and Naomi Pier Observing and Aspirating insects on black light trap
Sangmi Lee and Melanie Tluczec observing flying insects on black light trap
Ron Rutowski observing flying insects on Black Light Trap
I hiked in the North Access of the Preserve late afternoon yesterday and on the way back, I almost stepped on a Diamondback! Can you see him? Look to the left about center. Great camouflage! A good lesson to be extra careful in low light because you won’t see them!
I documented all the things needed for the Herp Survey and then left without disturbing him. (Click on photos for full size)
This morning I went back out on the same trail and there he was in the exact same spot! Maybe he had a big meal and needed the rest? Anyway…he was just starting to move so I quickly took some more photos and made note of his length (33 inches). (Click on photos for full size)
The heat has arrived which means Rattlesnakes are out! Don’t let it stop you from hiking but now, more than ever, is the time you should remember to STAY ON THE TRAIL! This photo shows the dangers of walking off trail.
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Although you are likely to see snakes on the trail too, at least you have a good chance of seeing them and thus avoiding them.
Typically, Rattlesnakes will give you PLENTY of warning because they have no desire to waste their venom on something too big for them to eat. However, they will strike if threatened and there are also species who aren’t as likely to give you a warning. SO…keep plenty of distance between you and the snake and carefully make you way around them.
