Post by trehopr1 on Jul 4, 2020 4:44:11 GMT
Here is a picture of my quick and simple Mercury Vapor light setup. It employs a 175 watt clear bulb (not frosted). The unit itself comes from Bioquip products.
The tripod is meant for a camera but, accommodates the bulb base. I use a white flat sheet (full or queen) size. I toss it over my barbecue grill and hold down the overlapping sides with a couple of small cut logs from the fire pit. I do happen to have an overhead collapsible canopy (above the grill) with small shelves to place the logs on. This is of coarse all improvisation but, it sets up in less than 10 minutes and it's all about who shows up and how late...
Once plugged in I let it run 3-4 hours and see what happens. I live in a "suburban" area so most times the "draw" is only mediocre (generally) however, if the right conditions fall into place even a setup like this (with its simplicity) can surprise you !
![]()
I have had two Saturniid species show up from area where I have never found a cocoon. Have collected at least six species of Catocala at it along with some curious Arctiidae and Geometridae to say the least. If my locale were more rural or perhaps nearer a woods -- who knows what might show up !
So, while I still admire those with far more elaborate rigs and lights of higher wattage; this as such still works for me and I'm sure would be just fine for most. Putting it away in the morning is just as quick and you just pop it out there again in a week or ten days to see what else shows up.
Just putting it out there to show one does not need something terribly more elaborate or expensive to get the job done !
Best Wishes fellow "men of the net" AND good "hunting".
The tripod is meant for a camera but, accommodates the bulb base. I use a white flat sheet (full or queen) size. I toss it over my barbecue grill and hold down the overlapping sides with a couple of small cut logs from the fire pit. I do happen to have an overhead collapsible canopy (above the grill) with small shelves to place the logs on. This is of coarse all improvisation but, it sets up in less than 10 minutes and it's all about who shows up and how late...
Once plugged in I let it run 3-4 hours and see what happens. I live in a "suburban" area so most times the "draw" is only mediocre (generally) however, if the right conditions fall into place even a setup like this (with its simplicity) can surprise you !
I have had two Saturniid species show up from area where I have never found a cocoon. Have collected at least six species of Catocala at it along with some curious Arctiidae and Geometridae to say the least. If my locale were more rural or perhaps nearer a woods -- who knows what might show up !
So, while I still admire those with far more elaborate rigs and lights of higher wattage; this as such still works for me and I'm sure would be just fine for most. Putting it away in the morning is just as quick and you just pop it out there again in a week or ten days to see what else shows up.
Just putting it out there to show one does not need something terribly more elaborate or expensive to get the job done !
Best Wishes fellow "men of the net" AND good "hunting".
