Black lighting

[Trace]

Does anyone here have a lot of experience black lighting for insects? I am planning on getting a set-up for this summer. Have you guys ever used power inverters instead of generators? What kind of lights do you think works best? I really appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks.

 

[BeetleExperienc]

Hi Trace,

Glad to hear you've decided to take up Blacklighting. If you are running off of a power inverter it's best to use fluorescent tubes since they use less power. I ran lights that way for a while and would only have to start the car a few times a night and let it run for a bit to charge the battery back up.

For "tubes", BLB (black light blue) are easy to find and work pretty well.

350BL would be the next step up (work better) but are harder to find (I usually have to order them). They are the lights you see in insect traps

http://www.beetle-experience.com/blacklight.htm

Keep us posted !

Steven

 

[BeetleExperienc]

Trace,

If you have "hard power" you might go with a mercury vapor. They work very well and you can pick one up at the hardware store usually for around $25 or so. You do have to wire it up but it's easy.

Also, don't bother setting up on a full moon unless you just want to see what comes in. The less competing light the better.

We usually check gas station parking lots at night, especially ones near a wooded area. Our best spot ever is about an hour north of where I live. Groups of us take trips up there to find Strategus, Lucanus and Dynastes.

 

[cacoseraph]

ah, the old late night gas station light bug hunt!

i've seen some weirdo moths and stuff before. well worth a five minute poke around, especially if you are already going to stretch you legs! and i don't even "do" beetles and moths and stuff... i just think they are neat

 

[Trace]

Thanks for the help beetleexperience! My friend and I are planning a trip across the country this summer to set up black light sheets, hopefully we'll end up in Southern AZ to get some good stuff. Where are you located? Iim really leaning towards using a Mercury Vapor bulb the more I read but I don't know if I'll have the power to run it. I don't know how much wattage you can run off a power inverter and a car battery. Do you think it's possible? Especially if I leave my car running to recharge every once and awhile? Thanks again!

 

[BeetleExperienc]

Hey Trace,

That should be a cool trip. An MV fixture will probably draw too much power - unless you find a smaller one. I have a large, parking lot type fixture and I'm pretty sure it wouldn't come on when I tried it on my inverter a few years back. There may be a smaller fixture you can find though - I know I've seen smaller bulbs than mine at the hardware store.

I'm in south Louisiana, let me know if you come through here.

Steven

 

[Noexcuse4you]

Mercury Vapor Lamp fixtures and balasts were banned in 2008. You may have to build your own or find a used one for sale.

 

[Nomadinexile]

You should just get an Led UV flashlight imo. I use an A49 and see scorpions and a little local pede from a 10-20 feet away. have fun!

 

[Noexcuse4you]

You should just get an Led UV flashlight imo. I use an A49 and see scorpions and a little local pede from a 10-20 feet away. have fun!

He's referring to another form of blacklighting where you put up a sheet and shine a light on it to attract insects.

 

[Bugs In Cyberspace]

Hi Trace and All,

Trace, I shot this blacklighting video just down the road from where you and Orin and Zonbonzovi and the guys hung out with us in Madera Canyon, during last year's ATS conference.

http://www.youtube.com/user/bugsincyberspace?feature=mhw4#p/u/5/kETVllF95Ls

Bioquip has mercury vapor lamps, but they're pretty spendy. I know a cheaper source for you, Trace. I definitely recommend the combo set up of BLB and merc. vapor for the kind of diversity you're going for. You want something that is going to last all night because different things fly at different hours.

Peter

 

[ilovebugs]

I wonder if this method would be considered cheating for a class insect collection project?

I wanna try this when it warm up some more.

 

[Bugs In Cyberspace]

I'd rather flunk a school assignment than miss out on a real learning experience!

 

[Trace]

Thanks for all the help guys. I should have my MV unit up and running in a few more days. I bought a 175watt MV bulb at Home Depot. I had to order a Mogul to Medium base converter so I can plug my bulb into a normal light socket. I'll use a camera tripod to hold up my ceramic light socket and run power from my car using a 400watt power inverter. What do you guys think? I can't see any problems with this set-up but field testing is the only way to be sure!

 

[BeetleExperienc]

Keep us posted Trace!