Pitfall Traps – Part 2 – Caterpillar Hunter Beetles in the Terrarium
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In Part I of this article, I discussed how we can use simple pitfall traps to capture nutritious foods for pet reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. While writing, it occurred to me that one of North America’s largest and most interesting beetles, the caterpillar hunter (Calosoma scrutator), often turns up in such traps.
Interesting but Ignored
Caterpillar hunters exhibit many qualities that render them ideal terrarium subjects. They are large, bold, diurnal, brightly-colored, voracious predators, temperature-hardy and breed well. Despite this, like most US natives, they receive virtually no attention from hobbyists. Caterpillar hunters are, however, much in demand elsewhere – on my last visit to Japan, entomologists at the Tama Zoo (which hosts a huge building and an outdoor exhibit for insects) assured me they would accept all that came their way.
Natural History
Our native caterpillar hunters are mostly large and brightly-colored, and spend the day searching for insects and their pupae. Over 2,000 species (Family Carabidae) roam our forests, fields and parks, with 40,000+ having been described worldwide. One, the forest caterpillar hunter, was imported to the USA from Europe in 1905 to battle gypsy moths. The grub-like larvae of most are also predacious, constructing burrows from which they ambush passing insects.
Caterpillar hunters are the most numerous predators within many habitats. Calleida decora, for example, achieves densities of over 5,000 individuals per acre on US soybean farms. Much favored by farmers battling the velvet bean caterpillar, a single beetle may consume 7-10 caterpillars each day, and each female produces 800-1,000 eggs.
Captive Husbandry
Caterpillar hunters make fascinating terrarium subjects. Clad in beautiful iridescent colors, most are not at all shy about revealing a range of interesting behaviors. They do well at normal room temperatures and can be housed in planted terrariums or simple plastic enclosures. Adults hibernate during the winter, with some species reaching at least 3 years of age.
I have bred two species in captivity, and it seems likely that many others would be equally cooperative. Caterpillar hunters can be fed crickets, newly molted (white) mealworms and their pupae, waxworms (which, being caterpillars, are a favorite!) and wild-caught insects.
As certain species defend themselves with irritating secretions, caterpillar hunters are best handled with gloves of tongs.
Further Reading
An interesting account of caterpillar hunter behavior is posted at
Please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
Caterpillar hunter image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Fritz Geller-Grimm
Caterpillar hunter larva image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org
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about 2 years ago
dear mr. indiviglio I just happened upun your article on caterpillar hunters for years I ve been searching for these beetles and have come up empty. I ve kept a number of insects including various ground beetles in terrariums and they do quite well. at this time I have succssfully been keeping carolina ground crickets (eunemobius carolinus). they have been breeding from last july 09 through now feb 2010, I have 2 tanks with native local insects in mini eco systems on my windowsill. Getting back to caterpillar hunters whats the best time of day to go out and find them. Im in the bx nyc area i have access to Pelham bay and van cortlandt parks. any new info on where to find these beauties would be deeply appreciated…
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel, Frank Indiviglio here.
Great to hear from someone interested in native insects…and a fellow Bronxite, no less! Thanks for writing in.
I’m pretty sure I’ve found them in both Van Ctland and Pelham Bay, also on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo, NY Bot Gardens perhaps. They are active by day, but I can’t say I recall any time that might be better than another, although sunny mornings following cool nights in spring/fall are great in general for insects and herps. Most I’ve found have been under logs and rocks, only rarely running about. They do seem to be localized, and they cover a lot of ground which complicates catching them. I recall prime habitats where I never found any, but there was a small strip of overgrown rocky ground where Mickle Ave dead-ended with the train tracks that was very productive (there were DeKay/Brown Snakes there as well) – but, this was decades ago.
Hatari Invertebrates is a great source for native insects – Calosoma scrutator is listed right now, but I didn’t check if they are actually in stock – all sorts of other beetles, aquatic insects, katydids, spiders; owner and staff very knowledgeable and helpful.
If you haven’t done so, you might consider the NY Entomological Society…they meet at the AMNH, meetings open to non-members – usually a small group but someone there might have more current site information. I don’t get to meetings very often these days, but do so when I can.
Good luck and please keep me posted on your activities, I don’t get out as much as I’d like to, so very happy to hear about what you are up to.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio
about 2 years ago
Thanx so much for responding….I happened to call hatari inverts months ago and they didnt have any in stock. im looking forward to spring to resume searching for searchers..:-) I hope to one day compile all of my knowledge of the insects i’ve found and studied up in the bx ps I’ve also encountered brown decay snakes toads and various salamanders. There is a rich deversity of life within our parks and more should be done to enlighten the public on the importance of all natural life. we re all in this together .
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for the feedback – please check in from time to time, I’m eager to hear about your discoveries, urban wildlife is a favorite topic of mine, I long pushed for exhibits at the Bx Zoo (only managed to convince them to do the current “backyard porch” exhibit in the mouse house, however! I hope to post some notes on species to be found in NYC soon – almost 300 birds sp. On Bx Zoo grounds, 12 or so herps (I re-introduced northern water snakes, wood frogs), over 1,500 insects, etc.
If you’ve not seen The Natural History of NYC (Kiernan) and A Lot of Insects (Lutz), please pick them up, you’ll enjoy I promise.
Worthwhile to check in w/Hatari from time to time, they often collect species that are not posted, calling is best, they are usually good about suggesting times to check back, great operation but you need to keep tabs.
Good luck and please stay in touch
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Hello Frank
thanx for the heads up on those books I’ve already ordered one of them and I’ll b lookn for the next one very soon. Im greatful that I’ve meant up with someone like you thats an authority on nyc wildlife I will definetly keep in touch with you and share my expieriences and discoveries.oh yeah what two species of calosma did you breed in captivity?. I will be reading your articles what I’ve read so far is chuck full of helpful insights. Have a great weekend. Again thanx a lot for your feedback as well.
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks for the kind words, please let me know what you think of the books when you have a look,
I was lucky with the beetles, as the hard work was already done for me (same family as Calosoma, different genera). I rec’d a colony of Calleida decora from an entomologist friend who was working with them at the time, hoping to mass produce as a biological control agent. Some European Ground Beetles, Carabus nemoralis, became established on their own in an exhibit I cared for at the Bronx Zoo’s reptile house. They apparently arrived in a log that was collected on the grounds of the zoo…I’ve never run across them there (outdoors) but a visitor brought some to me during my time at the Staten Island Zoo, she had collected them in her garden, so they are established there as well.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
I finally got my hands on the history of nyc im reading it and im enjoying it this will lead me to keep my eye on even more potential finds. lots of insects is in the mail cant wait 2 get it. the weather is finally getting nice i ve found 2 different rove beetles one all black and one with an orange elytra as well as a hister beetle and some click beetles all found in rotten log. up in centeral woods by city island and orchard beach. 2morow i ll b headed to van cortlandt park I will let you know if I find anything interesting……:-)
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Glad you’re enjoying the book, I knew you would!…Less on insects than other creatures, but stories like Beebe trapping mink along Bx River, make it great fun. I read there that copperheads lives along the jersey palisades, even under the GWB on jersey side – but staring across the river as a kid, it seemed like a world away! I did haunt the grounds of the Cloisters, just in case a few were still holding out on my side of the river….
Thanks for the notes on your finds and yes, please update me when you can – I don’t get out as much as I’d like to, and love hearing about what’s going on in my favorite places,
Happy hunting!
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
hello how are u? I got to read most of lots of insects it brings me back to my childhood when I first started taking books out of various libraries. i enjoyed it but most of the info was a bit familiar Im always craving new info on insects finding some calosoma beetles have become a partime obbession that is my concusion lol I got to go out to orchard on sat and escaped into the woods and found a (chleanus) ground beetle metallic brassy red head with bluish elytra and some crazy looking gloworm. ?whats the best native moss for my windowsill terrariums?feedback appreciated.
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks for the note – nice to hear you were out this weekend, I’m jealous. One could have worse obsessions than Calosoma-catching! Same here about books – As a boy, I read every nature/animal book in the child’s section of the tiny NY Pub Library branch on Burke Ave, and was given a “special pass” to use the adult section. Zim’s Golden Guide – “Insects” was my Bible back then….Still keep my eyes open…
I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never gotten around to keying out the moss I often use – but it is the most common one that you see in the city, grows as a thick carpet and pulls up easily in chunks. Dries out and becomes straw-like in mid-summer heat waves. It douse fine in terrariums with a once/day spraying and most any florescent light – w/o lights might be fine on a windowsill, but I’m not sure. It usually does fine for a few months, then often just dies back – I think it may need a cold period. If it doesn’t take, you can try regular dried sheet moss – it needs a lot of light, but will often “come to” once wet – all sorts of other interesting mosses and plants usually sprout from within it as well. Years ago I had a dozen or so small terrariums set up for an endangered NYS snail (Chittanango Ovate Amber Snail, NY’s only endangered endemic species) each had sheet moss and each was a unique little “forest” – I kept the tanks going long after the snails were re-located to another zoo.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
thanx for the heads up on the moss I did keep a nice patch of it for a while but it died on me i now realize i didnt water it enough im gonna go find me some. in the 2 tanks i have a mixture of wild grape, grasses some unkown native ground woodland plant, morning glory and missc…..erbs i need the moss to maintain moister in rotten wood, more to come.
about 2 years ago
Hello, Noel
Thanks for the feedback; I’m interested in native plants that do well, esp. those that can survive winter indoors, I’ll check my notes also,
Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
hello my friend I got my hands on some native moss and it looks great. You d be surprise at what one can find in the flower district in nyc. the unknown plant that is a common woodland floor plant did quite well all winter and is still kicking I sometimes have to trim it and it keeps on growing providing shelter and food for varioius inverts. I also purchased a mini everygreen bush about five inches tall it too provides a great cover i think it will do well throughout the summer for tree crickets which i ve also kept. wildgrape looking lush but time will tell if it gets too big and dies. only thing is that i seem to have too many sowbugs.i just got a couple of native wood roach and a burgundy/black rove beetle by orchard yesterday. have a great weekend…….;-)
about 2 years ago
Thanks for the note…yes, I loved haunting the streets around FIT/Flower District, so many surprises; in fact, I still have some succlents “rescued” from the trash outside one of the flower dealers decades ago.
Tree crickets – I’d like to hear more about those sometime, I’ve tried Katydids, even a predacious species when I was at the Bx Zoo, always liked Snowy Tree Crickets but somehow never got around to keeping them,
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
succlents? my apologies I need to get up on my plant skills right now im barely scratching surface whn it comes to plants.i do know a few but not as much as i should but im learning. right now. if i acquire calosoma this spring/summer my tanks will b ready to sustain them….;-) How early in the season have u encountered calosoma scrutator or sycophanta? last summer/fall i kept 1 snowy tree cricket 1broad winged tree cricket and 1 black horned tree cricket the snowy died in a month the broad winged died 2weeks later and the black horned died after yankees won the world series..kept on live plants in tanks i also have lots of pix. thanx for the feedback much appreciated.
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel, Frank Indiviglio here.
Thanks for the feedback; very interesting bit on the tree crickets. Last summer the NY Ent Society did a survey of night-calling insects, if they do so again this year, I’m sure you would be a great asset.
Succulents is just a very general term – desert plants that store water in leaves…they appear dead when overly dry but perk up (“become succulent”!) right away when given water. Many interesting-looking species, look great in desert terrariums.
Both species overwinter as adults, I’ve found scrutator on warm days in April (under logs though, not out and about; do not recall details re sycophanta.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
thanx 4 clearafying the succlents & calosoma back in 81 in early july I found the wing cover of a sycophanta it was brilliant brassy green but i lost it. this was in a backyard in pelham section of bx. Id be very interested in checking out the ny entomological society can u send me contact info? I have personal exp with about 9 species of katydids and various crickets in various areas in bx. Id love to share my info. again thanx 4 ur time and positive feedback..
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks for the note; sycophanta have some of the most beautiful colors of any insect, don’t they?…hope you come up with more.
The NY Entomological Society is run by Lou Sorkin, who has been with the AMNH’s Entomology Dept. for decades…he’s a fountain of info, great guy and would be very interested in your experiences. They meet monthly at the Museum, I don’t often get to meetings, but always try so hopefully we’ll cross paths soon.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
thanx 4 the info i actually got to check it out and im excited because i ll finally get to share my knowledge and expieriences with like minded people and that cricket crawl seems like fun i ll definetly want 2 be a part of any future events. Im going to try to get to the nyes meeting on tuesday its not to far from my work we ll definetly cross paths sometime i always carry my cam eager to share my photos. the calosoma sycophanta is very bueatiful I would be psyched to have a live specimen. meeting you and sharing my expieriences has also got me motivated to keep learning and sharing. Thanx 4 ur insights…..;-) have a great day… to be continued.
about 2 years ago
Hello, Noel
Glad to hear you looked into NYES, I’m sure you’ll enjoy. I’ll try to make a meeting soon – if you go, it will be easy to find Lou Sorkin – let him know you’ve been in touch with me or, better yet, let me know when you plan to stop by and I’ll email Lou ahead of time,
Enjoy,
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Im looking forward to going next tuesday to the meeting to check out Toby Upton’s entomology in glass. it will be a privilege to meet Mr. Sorkin and definetly meeting you when u have the time. I got to go out yesterday and collected an eyed click beetle (aluas oculatus) it was embedded in dead tree stump verystriking. the terrariums seem to be comming along I spotted a couple of young field crickets third generation terrarium raised. the other inhabitants in tank keep them from overpopulating. again thanx for all of your positive feedback Frank…. enjoy your weekend my friend.
about 2 years ago
Hi Noel,
Enjoy, I cannot make that meeting but will catch you soon; I’m on site at thatpetplace’s annual sale, will write Lou before tuesday. Eyed Click Beetles are one of my favotites – I set a few up at Brooklyn Children’s Museum some time ago,
aabest regards, Frank
about 2 years ago
to bad you can’t make it but we ll definetly link up soon. Im looking forward to checking nyes on tues it will be a new expierience kool…;-) this is only my second eyed click beetle What did you feed your adult click beetles? I’ve read that adults may not feed at all. my first one was kept for 1 month in jar in rotten wood and released. The current one is currently in one of my 2 tanks. will keep you posted on any nwe interesting finds. again thanx for all of the positive feedback etc….. sincerely noel
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
I didn’t care for the beetles once the exhibit was up and running; staff there tried ripe peaches and other fruit, wood/leaf mulch but were not sure if the beetles fed. Unfortunately, they did not reproduce…I’ll see if I can find out details.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
for now click beetle is sleeping in rotten wood in tank its been chilly when it warms up I ll try honey and fruit. I ve kept hermit beetles grape vine beetles and green june beetles on peaches and grapes. this year im going 2 try honey to attract tree crickets and what ever else. Eventually Id really like to try a few pitfall traps with meat but I have to find a safe spot for that. One time I laid one out and I swear it was removed I even left a subtle natural mark near it anyhow looking forward to nyes 2morow night I ll keep you posted.
sincerely noel.
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Where would insect keepers be without honey?…painting a tree trunk with a mix of honey and beer sometimes brings unusual moths and beetles (and, I guess, bears and people in some places!).
I found my first Giant European Hornet near the old honey-dispensing “tree” in the Bronx Zoo’s Kodiak bear exhibit – a pair of them descended on the gathered honeybees and plucked them from the air – one was dragged to the ground in the battle ands I netted her – she later chewed her way out of a plastic bag and terrified the reptile house staff!
Enjoy the meeting,
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Hello Frank it was kool I got there a bit early got to chat a bit with Lou Sorkin really good guy lots of insight I got to show him some of my pics and discus a little insects.I even got a regular membership. we havent even scratched the surface lol.the glass artist had some nice pieces got off the insects a bit but it was still pretty interesting. those hornets are no joke I found a semi dormant queen hornet/wasp got some good pics and left it alone. years ago i used to find empty disguarded beer bottles up in pelham sometimes full of dead drunk carabus nemoralis. beer/honey I will definetly give that a try. Thanx again for your positive feedback.
Best wishes to you.
Noel Morales.
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks and very glad to hear you met Lou – we’re very lucky to have someone like him about – so knowledgeable and willing to share, very rare these days…and in the Museum of Natural History no less! These are the things that make it possible for naturalists to “grow” even in NYC, I think…
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Your quite welcome your right he was humble willing to share and very insightful. Im looking forward to sharing and learning with you and Lou. If I can help in any way just let me know, for me insects/nature is a heart felt passion and meeting people with the same interests is more valuable than all the riches in the world. Tomorrow is earth day and I ll be up by shore road in the woods by city island exploring and cleaning up disguarded garbage it sometimes seems like an ongoing uphill battle I’ve been doing it for years now the reward is a cleaner wild space and that warms my heart and soul. I’ll definetly will keep u posted on any new and interesting finds.
Best wishes
Noel
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks for the note…enjoy tomorrow and hope you turn up some interesting finds while cleaning up,
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Good morning Frank.
Earth day got to clean up a few spots and found a small fungus or carion beetle before thunderstorm hit day after went up to indian field in vancortlandt park came up emtpy.
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks for the update, sorry about the weather. A trap set ion Prospect Park 10 yrs back came up with some interesting carrion beetles..but, as you mentioned last time, meat-traps are usually raided.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Hello Frank
I’ve just been taking care of my terrariums monitoring my plants and iverts. One of my transplant evergreen seems to be drying out but the bottom still has vibrant green on it I just planted another on other side of tank Im going to monitor it carfully to make sure it stay alive. I also have a lot of sowbugs I know they are important to ecosystem any suggestion whats the best predator etc to controll them not get rid of them.
Best wishes
Noel Morales
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
I know quite a few amphibian keepers who wish they had too many sowbugs! I even wrote an article on breeding them, as they are a valuable food/calcium source for many species; useful terrarium scavengers as well – consume feces, un-eaten dead insects, etc. – seems many folks have a hard time with them. Not many smaller predators take them, however – I can’t really think of a useful control organism other than a toad – but they’d all be gone in a night!
I used to toss extras into flower pots – as long as there’s food and moisture, they tend to stay put.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Hello Frank
Nice article i can appreciate the benefical aspects of sowbugs in my terrariums as long as they pose no harm to any of my other inverts I have no problem I ve been collecting some and placing them in a smaller 3rd tank solely for keeping sowbugs. young field crickets doing well and making themselves more visable.
Best Wishes
Noel Morales
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks for the kind words. You must get to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Insectarium sometime, they do wonderful exhibits for common and rare inverts alike; everything is treated with equal importance,
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Your welcome. I’ve been going to the Bronx zoo since I can remember my favorites have always been the reptile house,world of darkness,wild asia of course as well as the bird houses and mouse house.someone told me that the bx zoo has another live insect display besides whats in wild asia. I may take a trip out to Cincinnati. 2 collecting outings in the last 2 fridays and ive come up empty. I start thinking of all the factors that affect insect populations. Up in Vancortlandt park they are using herbecides to kill off invasive plants and I think its also affecting the rest of the ecosytem this seemingly rich habitat seems a bit empty of various essental species.
Best Wishes
Noel Morales
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Funny you should mention those, I’ve worked in all, and all were particular favorites of mine. I and a co-worker who was much more knowledgeable than I (a local guy, from Queens, who sadly passed away recently) started the invert collection in ’84 – first inverts since the honeybee exhibit in the reptile house, before my time.
The exhibit is still up – in Jungleworld. Only 12 or so tanks – stick insects, walking leaves, spiders, millipedes, crabs – varies a bit. We almost talked our way into converting the monkey house to insects, but couldn’t pull it off (purse strings, as in most zoos, held by “primate-elephant-panda types”). Still surprises me that the BZ let itself fall behind on invertebrate exhibition.
I donated a number of animals from my own collection/sources to the mouse house, including Flying Squirrels, Spiny mice, Zebra Mice, a striped skunk; also trapped the Norway Rats/House Mice, and Muskrats (muskrats not on exhibit now); World of Darkness a favorite since it opened – that almost became just bats and amphibs, but again it was sidelined. Building now closed – very sad. I began my career by volunteering in wild asia, and was hired to work in the world of birds….well, I could ramble on, way too much history….
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Hello Frank.
I’ve just been upkeeping my terraruims put some thyme which is short and thick planted greek oregano also short and thick as well as carpet of snow had to replace dwarf evergreen somehow dried out so far new one seems to be doing well. went out last week found a couple of salamanders but I never collect them also found a chlaenius sp.already have one trying to start a culture unfortunatly it got away. I remember seeing an Atlas beetle in jungle world it was always motionless. I was awed by that beetle. I tried getting a couple of calsoma scrutator from bugs in cyberspace but he won t sell them and hatari still doesnt have them. Id appreciate any additional info on another source. How would I go about getting a license to legally collect insects in new york state?
Best wishes
noel morales
about 2 years ago
Nice to hear from you again; some interesting salamanders still holding on in nYC – redbacks here and there in Manhattan, and a rather rare species in 1 tiny site in Van Ctland…2 lined, I believe, but I need to check.
Unfortunately I don’t know of anyone other than Hatari that deals in insects. All wildlife collecting permits are handled by the Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Stonybrook. It is illegal to collect any herp w/o a permit, but I don’t know if any insects are covered.
Good luck and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
Thanx for the info I’ve been collecting on and off for the last 30yrs and I”ve never been stopped I usually am discrete I have no access to backyards or private property so I have to collect where ever I can. Im always concious about over collecting or leaving things disturbed. Now that may and june are here im going to put my efforts to find Calosoma its like the road runner and the cyote every year LOLOL.
Best wishes
noel morales
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Let me know how you do…enjoy the weather and happy hunting,
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 2 years ago
I amost forgot to mention that I’ll be going to my second nyes meeting tommorrow evening at 7pm. It should be interesting it will be on dragon flies and damsel flies. I’ll let you know how it goes. Looking forward to going out at end of week and exploring rainy and then warm weather should bring out lots of insects.
Best Wishes
noel morales.
about 2 years ago
Hello Noel,
Wish I could be there…enjoy and please give my best to Lou,
Happy Hunting!
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 1 year ago
Hello Frank.
Touching base. Dragon fly/damsel fly talk at nyes was insightful. Always something to learn. This week I discovered new places to collect way up in northern Pelham took me 4hours just to take stroll found an interesting unkown beetle possibly fungus beetle not sure. I was intrigued in all the years I never ventured out here im talking amost pelhma manner hiking from bx. lots of ground to cover Hope to go out night collecting with various bait ultaviolet lighting flashlight etc. best time is warm humid moonless dusk/night. Do you know where I can get me a folding collecting net?
Best wishes
noel morales
about 1 year ago
Hello Noel.,
Glad you got to the meeting and a new collecting site…amazing what’s nearby; seems that near cities, animals have to congregate in what undisturbed areas are left…in winter the rangers at Orchard Beach lead walks to see roosting great horned owls, right near the nature center, over 265 bird species counted on Bronx Zoo grounds, Van Courtland known for high numbers of skipper species and so on…
Ward’s has all kinds of insect collecting equipt, here is a link to a folding net – Wards is expensive, however, and you’ll be tempted to but other things, I know!, so you may want to check other options…
Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 1 year ago
I checked out Wards and ordered me a nice folding net. Thanks for the heads up. I saw more items of interest LOL. WIll keep you posted on my next outdoor encounters will be going out at least once this weekend. Happy Memorial day weekend to you and your family.
Best Wishes
noel morales
about 1 year ago
Hello Noel,
Thanks for the note – glad Ward’s had what you needed; when I first discovered their catalog (I think in the library at Bx HS of Science, I was floored – they always have the latest equipment; at that time, they also were on of the few sources for live mudpuppies and other oddities;
A nice weekend to you and yours as well,
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.
about 1 year ago
Hello Frank.
I finally got to try out my net it makes a difference in the diversity of insects one can collect. Did 2 nights of blacklighting and a host of insects various moths a nicrophorus aka burying beetle about 20mm a couple of small carabids still on the look out for calosoma. Thanks for the heads up on net I will be enjoying this summer. WIll keep you posted.
Best Wishes
noel morales
about 1 year ago
Hello Noel,
Glad to hear the net is working out…I’m sure like me you used homemade equipt for years – fun, but Ward’s stuff really does help, doesn’t it. I use similar nets for aquatics as well – often to many sunken branches for seining.
Good luck, have fun and please keep me posted.
Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.