Berlese Funnels

These traps, also known as leaf litter traps, are used for collecting insects and other creatures that live in leaf litter. The litter is spread on a mesh screen in a large funnel with a hot electric bulb suspended above the litter. The combination of heat, light and gradual drying out slowly drives the creatures out until they drop into a container below the funnel. You can make a Berlese funnel from a plastic soft drink bottle. Cut the bottom off and turn the bottle upside down. Place a circle of small wire mesh in the bottle and cover the mesh with leaf litter. Suspend the neck of the bottle over a container of water with a squirt of detergent in it. Place an electric light bulb above the leaf litter. The heat will cause the insects to drop into the water.

An example of Berlese funnels used in a scientific investigation can be found in the Terrestrial Invertebrate Status Review of Brisbane.