Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 05:59
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Predatory Spiders in the Arctic Food Web 2013

Great journal/pics! Can you tell me more about the pitfall traps? Is there liquid in them? Are they all the same? Thanks!

Tue, 07/09/2013 - 13:28

Nell Kemp

Thanks for your question about the pitfall traps. They are actually quite simple - just specimen cups that are placed in a hole so that the edge of the cup is at ground level. There is a mixture of water/antifreeze (you have to make do in the field!) at the base of the cup about 1 inch deep. The spiders and other insects fall in and are trapped and killed. The liquid helps to prevent them from drying out, since the traps sit for a week between collections. These would be REALLY easy to set up for students and a great way to engage them with what is happening in their neighborhood ecosystem!