Hello, and welcome once again to SO’s biweekly bug update. Today we are going to be talking about the various equipment that will help you in your search for insects. None of these objects are mandatory-anyone can catch bugs with their bare hands. You just may not want to catch, say, a wasp that way. Flying insects can be very hard to capture without a net, and it’s very hard to take bugs home without a container. A very minimal investment can get you some great tools for your adventures.
You already have the most important tool for collecting bugs: your eyes. The more you start looking at the terrain around you, the more you will notice how many tiny creatures inhabit every square foot of possible space. Stopping and staying still, even sitting down, will help you notice dozens of creatures you would otherwise pass up. Most bugs want to stay hidden, to avoid being someone’s lunch. By observing closely, you can discover hiding places, camouflage, and other neat tricks of the bug world.
Once you find a critter, you’ll probably want to capture it so you can observe it closely. This is where a net is very handy. If you have any money to invest at all, this is the best place to spend it. While everyone is familiar with the so called “butterfly net” available at any K-mart toy section, it really isn’t the best tool for catching most bugs, especially flying ones. It’s far too shallow, and is very easy to rip. A professional net is a much better choice. I prefer so called “sweeping” nets. They are designed for making large, sweeping passes through tall grass or foliage. This means they are sturdy enough to stand up to some bashing. Because they are made of muslin, they’re also light enough for catching airborne insects. While there are specialty nets for some specific types of bugs, unless you are very serious about collecting, you probably won’t need them. My favorite net is available online, from Carolina Biological.
https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jdeAddressId=&catalogId=10101&storeId=10151&productId=19991&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=&crumbs=n
Along with the proper net, you will need a few minutes of practice on how to use it. The idea is to catch the insect in the bottom part of the net, and in the same motion, flip the top part in a fold over the bottom so that the insect can't escape. It's one flick of the wrist to catch the bug, and another back to fold the net. Confusing? You'll understand when you have a real net in your hands.
Storage is another issue. While I’ll talk some next time about preserving and displaying insects, it is nice to have a container to put bugs in even if you plan to release them. This makes them easier to observe. For larger insects, there is a very neat portable device called a “Pop-up Port A Bug”. It’s a small pouch that contains a collapsible mesh “cage” measuring almost a foot tall. It’s light to carry, fits in a pocket, and safely houses butterflies, grasshoppers, and the like. Very good if you just want to take a closer look at something before letting it go.
For more convenient storage, I like ziplock disposable containers. They come in packs of 6, are very cheap, and are washable and reusable. The lids seal very tightly, preventing escape. I do suggest poking small holes in the top. This isn’t actually to let the insects breathe (you are probably going to be killing them anyway), but to allow air to circulate. If you seal them up tight, your bugs will get kind of damply gross by the time you get them home. It usually doesn’t harm the specimen, but it is kind of yucky.
There is one kind of bug I don’t put in containers: Lepidoptera, or butterflies and moths. They tend to beat their wings against the containers, knocking off all the pretty scales that make them so colorful. I put these guys in ziplock bags. The insects stay with wings folded upward, and don’t flap around. Just make sure the bag is completely dry. Water can also ruin wing scales, or make them stick to the side of the bag.
One last tool that is really neat is the pocket microscope. Technically you don't need to take this into the field with you, but if you don't plan to keep your bugs, that's the only place you can use it. Pocket microscopes come in magnifications of around 10-100X, and cost anywhere from 5-35 dollars. The microscopic world of insects is amazing, and deserves a whole article unto itself, but suffice it to say it's well worth the look. Different people like different styles of these scopes, so try to find a local store that sells them. A museum shop or science store is likely to have at least a couple varieties.
Well, that's about it for this time. Stay tuned for next time, when we'll talk about |
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