BugWise

Yellow pan-traps are filled with a salt solution (acting as a preservative) and secured on each side with bamboo skewers. Photo: J Gollan © J Gollan.

The following information is for volunteers surveying the distribution and abundance of the emerald furrow bee in the Hunter and surrounding regions.

Before you set-out, it’s important that you have all the equipment you need. Note that some items are not supplied in your trapping kit.

What you will need:

• Yellow pan-traps (supplied)
• 2 bamboo skewers per trap (supplied)
• Sachets of salt and liquid detergent (supplied)
• Clean plastic bottle with lid (not supplied)
• Clean water (not supplied)
• Lead pencil (not supplied)
• Clip board (not supplied, and not essential)
• Data sheet (supplied)
• Specimen jar with lid (supplied)
• Paper for label (supplied)
• Collecting sieve (supplied)
• Stamped self-addressed envelopes for returning samples (supplied)
  

Before you set out, it’s also important to remember a few things.

First, traps need to be in the field for a total of 48 hours, so you must plan accordingly. If you cannot ensure that traps will be out for 48 hours—do not proceed any further.

Second, where you choose to set up the traps is entirely up to you. It’s of interest to the project to survey a wide range of habitats including parks, gardens, crops, orchards and grassland. However, you should always place them on property that is owned by you, or ensure you have permission from the land holder.

Third, always ensure that you take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment for you and others. Please read the safety guidelines (coming soon) before you begin work.

 

Method

Below is a list of steps you should follow when deploying yellow pan-traps. It is important that you follow these steps carefully to ensure that the same methods are followed by everyone involved in the project. Standardised methods are important in survey work because any differences found may be due to differences in the way people are installing a trap. For example, one person in the north of the study area may use a more concentrated salt solution than someone in the south. If specimens are trapped in the north and not the south, then it is impossible to know if this was because (1) there really are no bees in the south, or (2) there are bees in the south but the bee may be attracted to high-salt solutions.

Procedure for setting-out yellow pan-traps:

1. Firstly, prepare your trapping solution.
   Use a clean plastic bottle to mix your trapping solution. Each trap holds about 250 mL (1 cup) of liquid, so ensure the bottle you use is large enough for the number of traps you set-out. Also, make sure the bottle has not previously contained poisons or chemicals. We suggest an old soft drink bottle or plastic milk bottle with a screw-top lid.
2. Fill your bottle with fresh, clean water. Then, add 2 teaspoons of salt and 2-3 drops of liquid detergent per 250 mL of water. Screw the lid on the bottle and shake gently until all the salt has dissolved. Your trapping solution is ready to use.
3. Next, select a place where you will set a yellow pan-trap. Ensure that the ground is flat and even. Do not place your trap under a dense bush or so that thick grass obscures the trap. Yellow pan-traps work by attracting insects to them–so it’s important they can be seen! That said, you may have to choose a position that will not be disturbed by curious people or domestic animals.
4. Place the yellow trap on the ground and secure with a bamboo skewer through the holes in each side of the trap. This will prevent the bowl from tipping. Next, pour 250 mL of the trapping solution into the bowl—this will be around ¾ full for the bowls that you will be using.
5. Fill in the information on your data sheet. This contains details such as ‘Date and time traps are set out’ and basic information about your site that will help you and others find it again. It is not necessary, but digital photos of your sites are welcomed.
6. Once you have finished filling in the data sheet, your trap is ready to leave for 48 hours.

Procedure for collecting yellow pan-traps:

1. Firstly, prepare your collecting sieve and jar
   Fold the sieve in half (to create a half circle), and then half again (to create a quarter circle). Separating the first layer, while keeping the remaining three together, will create a funnel that you will pour the contents of the trap through.
    
2. Make a label for the trap to include the date and time the traps were set-out, the date and time the traps were collected, and your name and site number if you have more than one site (e.g. Site 1, Site 2 etc.). Use a sharp lead pencil for this. Place the label into the specimen jar.
3. Carefully remove the bamboo skewers. Then, holding the collecting sieve in one hand, pour the contents of the pan-trap through the funnel. The solution can be allowed to pass through and soak into the soil. Ensure all specimens have been removed from the trap—you may need a little clean water from your bottle to dislodge any remaining specimens.
4. Holding the top of funnel, place the collecting sieve into the specimen jar, being careful not to crush or squeeze the specimens in the sieve. Screw the lid on the collecting jar, and check that you have included the label in the jar. Ensure you retain the yellow pan-trap and bamboo skewers.
5. Place specimen jar (or jars) and data sheet into the envelope that is addressed to the Australian Museum, and post immediately. It is important that you do this the same day that you collect your pan-traps as specimens tend to deteriorate quickly.
   

This project is supported by the WV Scott Charitable Trust