The warm, humid, windless weather on June 5th was perfect for bug-hunting. A small group of committed entomologists from the East Carolina 4H club used this opportunity to set traps to attract insects to add to their collections. A homemade concoction of mashed bananas and whiskey was painted on several trees around the A Time for Science Learning Center. This nectar imitation attracts large butterflies, beetles, and moths. Bamboo poles were erected to suspend a white sheet near the pond. A black light and a mercury vapor light were angled to shine on the sheet to imitate the moon. This is another trap designed to attract big, beautiful bugs. Traps set, it was time to wait for the sun to set.
The amateur entomologists convened inside the ATFS center to pin previously-collected insects for display and study. They pored over field guides to identify the many bugs they’d pinned. An hour later, darkness had descended and the hunt was on. Insects swirled around the hanging sheet. Tiny mosquitoes buzzed ears and ensnared themselves in long hair. Several huge grapevine beetles, giant diving beetles, and assassin bugs were attracted to the hanging sheet, then trapped in jars loaded with ethyl acetate. The prizes of the night were huge lacewings and a huge hawk sphinx moth. Everyone left with dozens of insects to freeze at home and add to their growing insect collections. It was great buggy fun!
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