Malaise Trap II, Townes Style

Townes-style Malaise trap for standardized insect sampling

This traditional Townes-style Malaise trap provides passive interception for biodiversity surveys and ecological monitoring.  A central mesh panel guides flying insects upward into a 500 ml collection bottle without bait, supporting standardized, long-term sampling.

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Detailed Description

The intercept panel measures W165 × H110 cm and is constructed from black polyester no-see-um mesh (96 × 26 per square inch) to retain minute taxa like parasitic Hymenoptera.

For flight interception trap (FIT/window trap) use, position trays or ground cloths with preservative beneath the panel to collect taxa that drop after impact (e.g., Coleoptera).  The collection head is molded from solid polycarbonate for impact resistance, UV stability, and clarity.  Ventilation ports (closed by default) allow optional airflow; some studies report increased capture when airflow is enhanced.  A removable moth excluder (1 × 1 cm grid) limits entry of large Lepidoptera to reduce wing-scale contamination.

Window Trap Setup

Removable Moth Excluder

Proper Collection Head Connection

⚠️ Head junction: Tie the ribbons firmly where the fabric funnel meets the collection head and verify both zip-ties are intact.  Keep the roof line under gentle tension to prevent detachment—do not overstretch.

Functional Advantages

• Standardized intercept: Townes-style geometry for comparable, bait-free sampling across sites and seasons.
• Fine mesh retention: 96 × 26 mesh helps retain minute Hymenoptera and other small insects.
• Serviceability: 500 ml bottle unscrews quickly for sample changes and labeling in the field.
• Optional FIT mode: Works as a window trap by placing trays/ground cloths with preservative beneath panel.
• Durable head: Polycarbonate head with optional airflow ports and removable moth excluder.

Field Notes

• Placement: Align panel perpendicular to expected insect flight paths (trails, edges, stream corridors).
• Stability: Requires a minimum of two guy ropes; add more in wind or exposed sites.
• Ventilation ports: Opening ports may improve airflow but can admit rain and accelerate evaporation.
• Sun and wind: Note sun position and wind direction.  Provide shade in hot/dry conditions to reduce preservative loss.
• Servicing: Empty/replace bottles on a fixed schedule; re-tension lines after strong wind or a heavy catch.
• Maintenance: Clean mesh panels periodically to maintain airflow and capture efficiency.
• Alternatives: Need freestanding deployment or canopy work?  Consider the SLAM trap or ez-Malaise trap.

Field Checklist

ℹ︎ Disclaimer: Field Notes & Checklist provide practical guidance and examples.  Actual procedures should be adapted to site conditions, study objectives, and institutional protocols.  Users are responsible for safe deployment and compliance with local regulations.

Pack Contents

• 1 × Fabric Trap Body
• 1 × Collection Head (pre-installed)
• 1 × Collection Bottle (pre-installed)
  alternative option

  Nalgene™ 2105-0016 wide-mouth bottles (53 mm closure; unavailable from this site) are compatible with the supplied bottle.

Replacement parts are listed under the Parts tab.  Tent pegs, guy ropes, and support poles are not included.

Recent Literature Related to This Product Line (click to search more)

• Organization, usefulness and limitations of an ATBI: inventory of terrestrial invertebrates in the Mercantour National Park.  Deharveng et al. (2015).  Zoosystema.
• Species identification in Malaise trap samples by DNA barcoding using NGS.  Morinière et al. (2016).  PLOS ONE.
• Comparing Vavoua, Malaise and Nzi traps for Stomoxys spp. and tabanids.  Tunnakundacha et al. (2017).  Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Expedited assessment of arthropod diversity by Malaise traps + DNA barcoding.  deWaard et al. (2019).  Genome.
• Toward a standardized insect monitoring scheme.  Hausmann et al. (2020).  Ecology and Evolution.
• High tachinid richness sampled with a Malaise trap in Baihua Mtn., Beijing.  Pei et al. (2021).  Scientific Reports.
• Fluctuating insect diversity across agricultural landscapes.  Hausmann et al. (2022).  Scientific Reports.
• Regional variation in insect phenology vs. temperature across North America.  Dunn et al. (2023).  Ecology.
• Photonic sensors reflect variation in insect abundance/diversity.  Rydhmer et al. (2024).  Ecological Indicators.