Yellow Pan Traps
Many day-active insects are attracted to the colour yellow. This trapping method uses small yellow dishes filled with water mixed with a little detergent. The dishes are placed on the ground in open areas in the morning. When flying insects land on the surface of the water they rapidly sink and drown. At the end of the day, the water is strained through a fine sieve and the specimens are retrieved. Blue dishes can also be effective and often attract different insects.
Line of yellow pans in open area
Emptying yellow pans
Specimens caught in yellow pan
Queensland Museum's Find out about... is proudly supported by the Thyne Reid Foundation and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.
