The insect traps of Patrick Bonneau

[alandmor]

The ingenuity of collectors/entomologists never ceases to amaze. The linked article (in French), Mes Pieges A Insectes, shows some of the insect traps designed by Patrick Bonneau. Some are fairly standard but there are other unique designs you may find useful. While the article is in French, it is well illustrated with good photos. Most trap components are sourced from cheap, readily available materials. The file is too large (4mb) to attach here but the following URL should link to an on-line copy.  If not, let me know:

drive.google.com/file/d/0B0xyJs6rb8fSdFpfUFMzVHBYNDA/view?usp=sharing


A Google translation of the introduction follows:

“After having practiced for a long time the usual methods of catching insects, which allowed me, to exercise my skill, to realize all the necessary tools (butterfly net, hunting tablecloth, filleting net, troubleau net, Winkler sieve, etc ... ), I was naturally interested in trapping systems.

Having a great sense of DIY, the problems of realization have fascinated me as much as the use of traps. Especially since the lack of means, and, let's face it, the challenge posed by this constraint, led me to use with the greatest ingenuity the most recovery materials. This is especially so because the theft or the destruction (voluntary or due to bad weather) of a part of the material does not encourage to devote a lot of money to it. Small, medium or large plastic bottles are naturally the most used. They alone represent the majority of the necessary equipment.

In this article, the realization is more or less detailed. The very idea of recovery means that there can not be a typical plan, and that the realization of each trap is adapted to the material recovered. These are my solutions that are presented, but if you want to get started, remember more the principle and the ideas that the copy, and no doubt that with the material you will find original solutions will appear to you.”

[louisianacurmudgeon]

alandmor I note that none of these insects traps are new designs or concepts. These all have been published in scientific literature for well over the past century. Since I have been designing and operating insect traps 24 hours of every day of every year for over 50 years, I have also been accumulating published literature on these subjects much more than 50 years. I am certain that Patrick Bonneau has obtained nearly all of these ideas from other collectors worldwide. Currently, I personally have far in excess of 400 insect traps of numerous designs in my inventory of insect traps. From the very early years (1969) I have concentrated on designing traps that collect automatically 24 hours of every day of the year without the need for the collector to be present, and for the capture of millions of insects in pristine condition. Most all of my lepidoptera insect traps have attached collecting chambers. My one day (24 hour period)record catch of insects amounted to about 124 millions insect specimens here at my current home location. Here is a link to a little pdf I published about 5 years ago. www.researchgate.net/publication/275770201_Images_of_some_of_the_insect_traps_designed_fabricated_and_operated_by_Vernon_Antoine_Brou_Jr_and_Charlotte_Dozar_Brou_in_Louisiana_a_glimpse_at_a_45-year_odyssey

[larrycurlymoe]

Vernon,
How do your traps prevent the insects from tearing themselves up?

[louisianacurmudgeon]

The designs of the collection chambers and the use of the ultimate entomological killing agent - 'CYANIDE'. Typically, most insects entering the collection chambers are dispatched within 10-20 seconds. My entomological Facebook page has more than 1000 images of my traps and daily collecting activities. Look at my Entomological photos at this link: www.facebook.com/Eudocima/photos_all

[mothman55]

I can tell you from first hand experience that Vernon's traps are very effective. Back in June of 1987 I visited Vernon for a couple of nights of collecting in Louisiana and when we returned to his property after two days, the light traps contained a nice variety of moths, (and most in A1 condition) many of which he was kind enough to let me take as they were new to me, being from Canada. Don't know if you will recall Vernon, it was almost 32 years ago, but a collecting trip I will not forget. I came down with an older fellow that has since passed, but he also had fond memories of our trip.

Hal

[jshuey]

Most of these are for beetles and flies, using (I assume) some sort or attractant (like alcohol) to lure insects in, and then preserving them in fluid.  I do like the hanging flight intercept design - I've never seen that arrangement before!

John