A Trap for Capturing Arthropods ing Up Tree Bo

A simple trap is described that captures ahopods as they crawl up tree boles. Comtmcted &om metal hnnels, plastic sandwich containers, and sp imen cups, the traps can be assen~bled by one person at a rate of 5 to 6 per hour and installed in 2 to 3 nrinutes. S p i m e n colle~tion required 15 to 20 seconds per trap. In 1383, h a traps were phced on each tree. In 1994, a single trap per tree with a drift fence consisting of an alurninum band vvrappd around the tree was used. Trap captures ltorn four 1-week samples collect& in April, July, October, and January of each year were compared. Traps without drift opods in 63 different genera and an average of 16.3 artbrclpods per trap. Those with &rift fences capturd 122 different genera and 26.8 arthro@s per trap. The traps captured arthropods from 18 orders. They were particulasly effective for capturing spiders (Araneae), ants (Hymenoptera: Fodcidae), and beetles (Coleoptera). In addition, the traps worked well in capturing the pine reproduction weevils, Hylobius pales (Herbst) and Pachylobius picivorus (Cemar). The traps offer a simple, effective alternative for the study of arlhropods that crawl up the bark of trees. They are easy to construct and install, allow quick sample recovery, and can be left unagended for several weeks without sample deterioration.