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Post by joniverson on Sept 30, 2019 14:04:31 GMT -8
Over the last couple of days, I've been adding pure apple cider to the bait if it was starting to dry out. This is the time of year to pick up pure, no preservative cider from local farm markets in my area. Seems to be doing the job so far. Although it was cloudy and somewhat cooler today (mid 70's for highs), I still had half a dozen leps by mid afternoon. I also found another local source for peach cider, also pure. If not too expensive, I'm going to pick up some on Wed. I'm freezing a couple gallons of the apple cider for use next season. I took a taste and it sure is good.
I continue to run the moth light and sheet as well. To my surprise, just before I turned if off, there was a nice Hyles lineata on the sheet which I extracted and kept. So, maybe some time yet for the sheet.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Sept 30, 2019 16:44:35 GMT -8
The Bait Trap in my back yard had several nice Catocala moths:Catocala vidua. C. cerogama and two very nice C. parta. I also collect several nice looking small Noctuid moths.
There were several dozen European Hornets and an untold number of Yellow Jackets. There were also a dozen Polygonia comma.
I also checked my Bait Traps in the Mantua Wetlands. Virtually no butterflies. I changed Bait just to be sure. There were no flies either. A good sign the Bait has turned to vinegar. As I mentioned previously, I replaced the Bait in two of my three traps.
More tomorrow.
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Post by joniverson on Oct 5, 2019 14:58:27 GMT -8
The one bait trap continues to remain up, but I was very tempted to take it down today. I appreciate your suggestion to try keeping it up, Leroy, but under the circumstances once it gets much cooler, I won't have a choice but to take it down until next season.
I did change out the bait this afternoon probably one final time. So over the next week, will see what shows up.
I've had a lot more fun with the bait traps this year than the mother light set up I must say. Hopefully, next year might bring improvement in the moth side of things.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Oct 5, 2019 19:40:33 GMT -8
I currently have four Bait Traps: Slotted Pan with Lumite Screen. I will leave these out 24/7/365. I collect Noctuid moths all winter (Cold Weather/Winter Moths. Lithophane, Metaxaglae and Eupsilia moths.)
The trap in my back yard is 14 years old. It looks like new.
I have three set out in the Mantua Wetlands. I will check them tomorrow AM after church.
I keep hearing about freezing bait Try this. Cut up a banana, put the pieces into a clear empty glass. 48+ hours later remove the glass with Banana's from the freezer. Once frozen solid, remove from freezer and thaw.
Then tell us what the Bait looks like.
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Post by joniverson on Oct 6, 2019 14:54:07 GMT -8
The final trap was taken down today to be put back up in the Spring.
I either froze existing bait, all of which is banana mash, or tossed it if too old. Will have to wait until Spring to find out what happens. I also froze a couple of gal of apple cider as this is the time of year farm markets have the no preservative cider. Looked all over for peach, but unavailable so cider next year will have to do. I have one last bunch of bananas not quite ripe enough yet that I will mash up and freeze, probably next week, and then that's it.
What is a decent source for Lumite? I would like to rescreen the top and maybe an inch or two down on my traps next year to stop bugs from chewing through. This isn't an absolute necessity, more of an option, but if I can obtain Lumite readily, it might be the way to go next Spring. I see Bioquip has it, but only one color.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Oct 9, 2019 9:29:20 GMT -8
I purchase Lumite Screen direct from Lumite.It must be purchased by the roll. 9' X 36' Rolls.
Send me an email: Leptraps@aol.com
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Post by joniverson on Apr 19, 2020 19:12:48 GMT -8
Well, here we are almost 7 months later and the world has turned upside down! Never saw this coming, but doing my best to try and stay ahead.
The only bait remaining was the frozen banana mash from last year, but I doubt this will work. I found quick testing of thawed mash was not an attracter late last year.
So, no erected traps unless I can come across a safe source of apples and cut up and freeze those. Even that will be chancy as there's no way I'm going into any stores right now.
On the bright side, there's no reason I can't put out my moth light set up as that doesn't need anything beyond what I already have. Planning on running the light starting probably the last week of this month.
One thing that has been helping me with my decontamination efforts, and keep in mind that I decontaminate all mail or packages coming here, is a broken outer envelope of a MV light from last season. One hit the concrete and only cracked the outer glass envelope. Now I use it to sterilize packages/ letters in an enclosure I have set up. No way to know for sure if it works other than the strong smell of ozone once I turn everything off. Other than that, I still either wipe down everything with a bleach solution and/or wash items in the sink with soapy water and bleach. Alcohol disappeared long ago, so been using either the recommended bleach/ water solution or hydrogen peroxide, although I don't trust the latter as well as I have come across some bad batches.
Stay safe out there. If lep collecting is going to compromise your health risk in any way (meaning acquisition of fruits for bait), then don't do it.
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Post by leptraps on Apr 20, 2020 17:30:43 GMT -8
As of this AM, I have six (6) Slotted Pan Type Bait Traps set out. Not in the count is the one in my back yard.
I checked them all this afternoon. I had a few Lithophane. An interesting Metaxaglae, a female.
I also collected 20+ Polygonia comma, all females and several females of Polygonia interrogationis. I also collected several Agrotis vetusta, which is new to me and a lone female of Sideridis rosea, which is also new to me, and an absolutely stunning moth.
On a more personal note (This should probably be posted else where!!!) I encountered this stunning 41 year old Burnett when I stopped near Ravenna for a real Ice Cream Milk Shake. I got a telephone number!! (I still got it, my charm made her smile.) There will be no updates on this little Chickee.
If the weather holds, Light Traps tomorrow night.
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Post by foxxdoc on Apr 21, 2020 6:39:19 GMT -8
BAIT;
been using aged apple sauce.
Tom
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