UV Lights + Mexico

[zakvanloocke]

Hello everyone, I've got a quick question.

This summer, May 5-July 14, I will be collecting Lepidoptera in Chiapas, Mexico. (Legally of course). I will be working with a UV light because a full powered MV light with generator is logistically impossible with the dense undergrowth and weight.
I've never worked with a UV light before and was wondering how well they work for attracting Saturniidae and Sphingidae. If you have any experience or suggestions they are very much appreciated. Thank you!

~Zak

[bluemoth]

I use uv lights only and have had moths of all families show up through out the year in CA. There is thought that they do not attract as many species in each family as mv lights. Also posibly some females my not come to the uv light. I have had both native satumid species of my area come in as well as three native Sphingidae and one rare stray Sphinx one year that was a new record for my area. If you get extra specimens of any species in any family I would love to have some - PM me if you get extras.

[Deleted]

If by UV, you mean true UV...then do be careful with eyes and skin exposure. If you mean Blacklight as UV, then exposure is much less a concern.

I work with UV with my koi ponds and I have to be careful indeed. Not trying to be bossy, but wanted you to know that the real UV lights are something to take seriously.

[Deleted]

Oh---and I forgot to say---best of luck with your collecting trip

[admin]

I just use the UV lights sold by BioQuip and Leptraps. What's 'real UV lights'? Are they used by entomologists? Do you have any pictures or links to them? I'd be interested to learn.

[Deleted]

UV lights used by 'ponders' to kill suspended algae in filters are a high-intesity type. They give off more UV radiation and are harmful to humans. One could say "blacklight" is UV on the edge with other UV bulbs being UV in the whole. It all relates to spectrum factors.

I started out here with the intent of explaining this, but am referring to these two links.

Here--

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_light

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet

In a nutshell, one should be informed of the UV material he'she is using.....that's all. For example, eye protection is something to consider when using any of these.

[Chris Grinter]

15 watt UV is my only light source in the field and it works perfectly well at attracting larger moths. Mercury Vapor (HgVPR) is great when you're in open areas like grasslands and deserts - the light is carried further and you do end up attracting greater numbers of larger moths. There is also something more convenient about using a white light at night, it's a more natural light for us to operate in.

In a forest though, in my opinion, a HgVPR of anything over 175w is a complete waste of energy. Your light is cast into the trees and your moths land further and further away from the sheet, if you search the forums you will find exhaustive discussions regarding this. You have to cycle on and off your HgVPR with black light to draw the moths into your sheet.

When in the Amazon I was forced to use my backup light - a 4 watt hand-held blacklight for one night. Despite the massive difference in power I still had a sheet covered in insects, with many large saturniidae. You could light a match in the tropics and still have moths!

For an 15w bulb this battery will give you about 10 hours of power: www.batterymart.com/p-12v-18ah-sealed-lead-acid-battery-1.html

But in the tropics and for travel this slightly lighter 14ah battery will give you ~7 hours: www.batterymart.com/p-12v-14ah-sealed-lead-acid-battery.html

They are sealed, meaning you can fly with them.