Wasp-trapping Project (safe, cheap, uses beer) Needs Help

[George Hammond]

Hi folks. The item below appeared today the email list of the Ecological Society of America, and I thought it might be of interest to Stewardship Network folks too. The request comes from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, which is a USGS facility, part of their Biological Resource Discipline.

All:

I could use your help to run a North American pilot test of an inexpensive trap for yellowjackets and hornets. If successful it might result in development of a unique long-term survey for this group. I have been in correspondence with workers in the Czech Republic, Great Britain, and Northwestern North America regarding the use of traps made from plastic drink and soda bottles partially filled with beer or apple juice/cider.  These groups have been successful in trapping a variety of wasps.  We would like to see something similar tested throughout the continent, this year we would like to get a feel for what species and situations might be most useful prior to do a larger and more statistical rigorous set of trials. This time of year is when populations of these colonial species are at their height and thus this email to encourage your participation.

So this is where you come in. We need you to put out a trap(s) around your house, nature center, fields, and woods for 3 weeks and then send us back your "catch."  We will put everything together and send you back a report.

Here's what you will need:
Beer (The Europeans have standardized on Heineken but for this trial just use whatever is on hand)
Apple cider or juice
If you want try something else...go right ahead
CLEAR Plastic soda or water bottle (take the labels off)
String or wire

Directions
Put a good 3 inches of beer or cider in the bottom of the bottle.
Keep the top of the bottle off.
Hang the bottle (from a tree or post) about 3-4 feet off the ground....hang the bottle by the neck.
Locations could be in any habitat with an emphasis on woodlands (which likely have the highest species richness).
At the end of 3 weeks strain out your sample and mail it in via the following procedure (note the alcohol and vinegar both will preserve the specimens over the 3 weeks).

Mailing
Rinse specimens under cool water
Put into ziplock bag
Add a very SMALL amount of alcohol, just enough to DAMPEN them (isopropyl is fine).
Add a paper towel to keep any excess alcohol in place
Put that bag into ANOTHER zip lock bag with another paper towel
Put those bags into ANOTHER plastic bag and tie tightly.
Ship in a padded envelope or box to me along with the who, what, where below:

Data needed for each trap:
Your name
Your location (gps, mailing address, description, map)
Date Put Out
Date Taken Down
Habitat
Notes
Email address so we can contact you

That's it, your ticket to fame is guaranteed, many thanks for the help and participation.

Sam

Sam Droege  sdroege@usgs.gov
w 301-497-5840 h 301-390-7759 fax 301-497-5624
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/staff/profiles/documents/droege.htm

Mail to:
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
BARC-EAST, BLDG 308, RM 124 10300 Balt. Ave., Beltsville, MD  20705