Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

Combination trap for flying insects

The combination trap for flying insects is a combination of a window trap and a yellow pan trap.

After having used a separate window trap and a yellow pan trap in a multitude of projects to assess the diversity of flying arthropods, we designed a combined trap.

Kombifalle
Combi-trap
Fensterfalle
window trap
Gelbschale
yellow pan trap
Set aus Kombifalle und Trichterfalle.
A combi-trap and a pitfall-trap set.

The combi trap is more economical to maintain and more ergonomical to empty and service. A masters thesis showed that catches of number of species and individuals are statistically identical if using a combi-trap or a window and a yello pan trap combined. Furthermore with the combi-trap catches are not depending on wind direction.

These traps, combined with our pitfall trap, are in use for the Swiss Biodiversity Monitoring (BDM-CH) in a project that employs rapid biodiversity assessment methods to comparably measure species diversity.

The costs for material and manufacturing one trap amount to CHF 150.-. Postal delivery only to Switzerland, pickup at WSL possible and preferred. People interested in using this trap may contact us directly. A few images should clarify the design and functioning of the trap:

Blick entlang der Drehachse des gelben Trichters.
View along the rotation axis of the yellow funnel.
Der Trichter ist eine idealeForm, da er grosse eine Oberfläche mit geringem Wasservolumen vereinigt.
The funnel is an ideal form as it combines large surface with minimal water volume.
Vogelperspektive auf die Kombifalle.
Top view into the funnel.
Befestigung der Drehachse am Holzträger.
Fixation of the axis, carrying the funnel, on a wooden pole.
Befestgung der Plexiglasscheibe am Kunststofftrichter.
Attachment of plexiglass window on the plastic funnel.
Technische Lösung der Achsdurchstossung durch die Plexiglasscheiben, um einen Bruch der Scheiben zu verhindern.
Technical solution for the holding bar penetrating the plexiglass window to prevent the breaking of the window.
Ein Vergleich der Dimensionen aller Fallen, die auf diesen Seiten erwähnt werden (nicht massstabgerecht gezeichnet!).
A comparison of dimensions of all the traps mentioned on these pages is given below (not drawn to scale!).

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