Blacklights are the "traditional" tool of choice for entomologists. Youwant to choose a spring or summer date with a new moon (no moon). Thehotter and more humid the climate , the better collecting.
Choose a place where two or more habitats come together (like a forestedge for example, or a pond and a meadow), or a natural flyway, like anarrow canyon, and it will increase the diversity of species you willget visiting.
If you are interested in beetles, you should also try laying a trail ofoatmeal, and come back with a flashlight. Many varieties of darklingbeetles (tenebrionidae) can be attracted this way, especially out westwhere arid environments prevail.
Eric Eaton

Last modified on Friday, 13 June 2008