13 replies to this topic

[Jamie_Garrison]

i searched light sheets and got nothing in the search on here, in the past i have used several types of lights (florescent, incandescent, Black to 10K) to collect beetles and always had an abundant of ants coming to the sheets.  Does anyone on here have any experience collecting Queens this way.     

[Alabama Anter]

Blacklights are what they are called. Many people gather hundreds of queens. ALWAYS GET UV lights.

[Jamie_Garrison]

Do they lay them on the ground or suspend them...

[Martialis]

I believe he's talking about white colored sheets that you put the black light behind, increasing the effectiveness.

[Jamie_Garrison]

I believe he's talking about white colored sheets that you put the black light behind, increasing the effectiveness.

yes 

[Alabama Anter]

Oh lol... I usually put mine on the ground on top of a high place. (Top of Car/Tent/Table) As for the sheet, simple taped paper or bedsheets will work.

[VoidElecent]

Oh lol... I usually put mine on the ground on top of a high place. (Top of Car/Tent/Table) As for the sheet, simple taped paper or bedsheets will work.

 

I've always wondered this but never had a chance to ask. Wouldn't placing a sheet on a higher surface attracted more unmated queens than mated? TYPICALLY, mated queens shed their wings pretty quickly probably wouldn't take the time to climb up to a black light. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong.

[Alabama Anter]

Many queens can mate ON the lights. Some queens may be infertile, but the majority usually will not be. My strategy would be to wait 5 minutes so you can see if she will mate or if she will fly off. 

[dspdrew]

You'll get a variety. It depends what colonies are around you and how close they are flying from probably. Some times I get tons of infertile alates of a certain species. Sometimes I get tons of mated queens.

 

Here's what I used to use.

 

[Jamie_Garrison]

Note noted thanks

[Kevin]

You could put it behind a sheet. UV blacklight is what you want. Incandescent lights will not be effective.

[LC3]

According to another member here, the ratio of mated queens to unmated queens is roughly half, sitting at around 49% I believe. The reason for this is because queens and males need to be flying in order to find a mate, not sitting at a light source.

It also works best in places with very little light pollution. 

Edited by LC3, February 22 2017 - 3:29 PM.

[Jamie_Garrison]

I have special use permits at Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area...the perfect place... a few miles from my house...which is already in the sticks..

[T.C.]

Someone actually posted this on my forum a while back so this might be of help to you. I use a similar setup.

http://www.insectboa...collect-insects