I have been designing and building traps for the collection of insects, specifically Lepidoptera, for over twenty-five years. These traps have been field tested and proven effective. The traps are constructed of materials that are very durable and will withstand extensive exposure to the elements.
In 1976 I designed and built my first bait traps which were of the inverted funnel type. These traps proved effective and were the standard design until 1995 when I introduced the flat bottom design. The flat bottom design is by far the most effective bait trap for Lepidoptera to date. I continue to develop new designs and modification of older designs as well as explore potential materials to improve the durability and effectiveness of the trap.
In 1983 I built my first light trap with interlocking plexiglass vanes utilizing a straight fluorescent 350 black light bulb mounted vertically. This design was very effective until 1988 when a federal regulation required that all plexiglass must be UV retardant. UV retardant plexiglass does not allow UV light to pass through the plexiglass and as a result, the UV light becomes ineffective. Only the light emitted from the side of the vanes the black light bulb was mounted on emitted UV light that did not pass through the plexiglass. As a result, I changed the design of the vanes in 1991 to rigid stainless steel and center mounted a straight fluorescent light bulb. The use of a straight fluorescent 350 black light bulb provides 360 degrees of light exposure, unlike formed ("U" shaped or circular bulbs) which create conflict between facing surfaces of the bulb. Also, less than 30% of the light emitted from a circular bulb is emitted outward. The performance and effectiveness of the straight fluorescent black light bulbs design is exceptional when compared to light traps designed with shaped fluorescent black light bulbs.
The addition of flow through rain drain in 1992 allowed water from even a heavy rain to pass through the trap without damaging the entrapped specimens. Sorting screens were part of the original design and over the years the size of the holes have been increased/decreased and the pattern of the holes have been adjusted to separate larger moths and insects from smaller delicate moths. In 2002 the new Quantum 365 Black Light Bulb was included as part of the standard design. These bulbs are 100 percent more effective and 40 percent more powerful than standard 350 Black Light Bulbs. Quantum Black Light Bulbs peak at 365 nanometers wavelength. Depreciation of UVA is also significantly reduced resulting in a 40 percent increase in output over standard 350 Black Light Bulbs. These bulbs can be used as replacements for 350 Black Light Bulbs in most applications.
In July of 2003, we introduced a new ballast design enclosed in a weather tight enclosure. The new ballast design provided the use of additional size bulbs including an 18 inch 32 Watt 350 Black Light bulb and a 24 inch 40 Watt 365 Quantum Black Light bulb. These new additions provide the most powerful portable light traps available.
In September of 2003, we introduced a complete line of Night Collecting Lights which now include 15 Watt, 32 Watt and 40 Watt units in both 12 Volt DC and 120 Volt AC. These larger more powerful collecting lights increase the quantity of insects attracted to the UV light. The new 24 Inch - 40 Watt 365 Quantum Black bulb is 60% more powerful than a 48 inch - 40 Watt 350 Black light. The new 24 inch bulb can be easily packed for trips to the tropics.
This year, 2006, we changed the funnel from aluminum to stainless steel. Stainless steel is extremely durable and difficult to scratch or damage. The electrical wiring on the vanes has been improved with a solid wire harness that will not break or separate.
This website contains information and pricing for all the products that we now design and produce. Should you have any questions, need additional information or have a specific need, please contact us via telephone or email.
- Leroy Koehn
