SLAM Traps – Hybrid Malaise Traps
SLAM Trap II Standard
Specifications:
- Dimensions: L110 x W110 x H110 cm
- Net Weight: 1.4 kilograms
- Main Material: Knitted Mesh | Polyester
- Mesh Size: 96 x 26 | 680 µm aperture
New modular design, each trap component can be purchased and replaced individually in case of loss or damage.
Malaise traps are used extensively in biodiversity surveys because of their potential for catching many taxa of airborne insects. However, entomologists have to overcome several innate shortcomings of the traditional Malaise trap: complex and time-consuming assembly and disassembly; poor mobility because of difficult installation; large, open area required for set up; and high cost. These disadvantages can greatly restrict the scope and use of the Malaise trap.
Installation of the standard SLAM trap (the Sea, Land, and Air Malaise Trap that floats on water, stands on the ground, and hangs in the sky) is a breath of fresh air. It is self-supported and freestanding. The trap is easily clipped to a framework of shock-corded poles, requiring no additional support or guy ropes. The standard SLAM trap is so simple to erect, it will save time and effort for other important activities, especially when many traps need to be deployed. It is configured with cross baffles so that flying insects are collected from four sides, making wind direction and exposure to sunlight less of a concern when considering trap placement and orientation.
Improvise a flight interception trap (FIT) or window trap by placing the standard SLAM trap over trays or ground cloths filled with preservatives (Refer E997F).
Suspended in the air, the standard SLAM trap becomes an aerial Malaise trap. When dangled from trees, the standard SLAM trap can be elevated to any height to avoid obstacles in natural insect flyways such as high bush or grass. With loops sewn on the standard SLAM trap, several standard SLAM traps can be daisy-chained to sample all habitats from ground level to canopy at the same time.
To make the standard SLAM trap go aquatic, four soda bottles (not included) and the trap floating kit (sold separately) are required. Connecting the bottles and trap floating kit to the standard SLAM trap transforms the trap into a floating Malaise trap that captures insects flying over wetlands.
This all terrain SLAM trap is made of fine Polyester fabric. Also included are: a mesh ventilation window on the collecting head to optimize the catch, and a removable “moth excluder (2 x 2 mesh/square inch)” at the collecting head entrance to prevent the entry of large insects such as Lepidoptera or dragonflies. A bottom collector (sold separately) can be tied underneath the standard SLAM trap to preserve flying insects that drop when hitting barriers (i.e. Coleoptera).
Insect drop-off is accelerated if Pyrethroids are applied to this ventilation window. Since all Pyrethroids are UV unstable, treatment should be repeated about once a week.
EM811-P Large SLAM Trap
With a similar structure to the EM508 standard Slam Trap, the EM811-P LARGE Slam Trap (Catalogue # EM811-P) is much bigger (156 x 156 x 170cm) and has an interception area 2.4 times larger than the standard SLAM Trap.
Installation of the large SLAM trap is straight forward. Simply clip hooks to provided shock-corded poles. It is self-supporting and extremely easy to reposition. The large SLAM trap has cross baffles so insects are collected from all four sides.
This all terrain SLAM trap is made of fine Polyester fabric (see specifications below).
Also included are:
- a mesh ventilation window on the collecting head to optimize the catch (Insect drop-off is accelerated if Pyrethroids are applied to this ventilation window. Since all Pyrethroids are UV unstable, treatment should be repeated about once a week)
- a removable “moth excluder (2 x 2 mesh/square inch)” at the collecting head entrance to prevent the entry of large insects such as Lepidoptera or dragonflies
- the collecting head has a mesh ventilation window to optimize catch
Contents per Trap
- 1 SLAM Trap
- 2 Support Poles (450 cm)
- 1 Bottle Connecting Ring
- Collecting Polypropylene (PP) Bottles (500 ml)
- 4 Guy Ropes (3 m)
- 9 Tent Pegs
- 1 Carrying Bag
Specifications
- Dimensions: See image diagram
- Weight: 2.2 kg (includes all accessories)
- Color: Black with white roof
- Materials
- Roof – White Polyester (108×32 mesh/square inch)
- Baffles – Black Polyester (96 x 26 mesh/square inch)
- Support Poles – Shock-corded aluminum or fiberglass
- Collecting Bottle – Polyethylene
Accessories
EM508C-MK2: Mark 2 model; Bottom Collector for Standard SLAM Trap
Aerial collecting
The bottom collector is manufactured to accommodate the standard Slam Trap for aerial purposes, so that specimens that fold their wings and drop after striking an object can be collected.
The bottom collector comes with a coarse mesh (3.6cm x 3.6cm grid) on top to prevent leaves and twigs from clogging the bottom collecting bottle.
The Collector consists of:
- Cloth Funnel
- 2 x Shock-corded poles
- Bottle connecting ring and 2 x 500ml collecting bottles
- Dimensions: L100cm x W100cm x H100cm
- Weight: 630 grams
- Colour: Black Nylon cloth
Materials:
- Funnel – Nylon Cloth
- Shock-corded Poles – Aluminum
- Collecting Bottle – Polyethylene
Assembly – SLAM Trap on Land
- Remove collecting bottle from zippered pocket on top of SLAM trap
- Assemble poles. Make sure segments are entirely inserted into joints
- Push ends of one pole into white pockets at opposite corners on base of SLAM trap. Be careful: do not over bend pole
- Clip hooks around pole. Take care to maintain gentle curve in pole
- Repeat Steps 3-4 with second pole and black pockets
- Put collecting bottle back into zippered pocket on top of SLAM trap
- Fasten ribbons around neck and body of collecting bottle
- Close pocket zipper to hold collecting bottle in place
- Remove moth excluder from collecting head entrance if not needed
- Use tent pegs to stake trap to ground
- Black loops (about two-thirds up side of trap) are for guy lines for extra support in wind
Assembly – SLAM Trap in Air
- Complete Steps 1-9
- Throw a rope over tree branch
- Tie other end of rope around poles where they cross at top of SLAM trap. Avoid blocking collecting head entrance
- A second trap can be hung from loop in center of bottom of SLAM trap
- Run a line through stake loops to ensure traps have same orientation
- Repeat Step 14 on opposite side of trap to keep traps from spinning
- Haul trap into air
- Stake down lines. Lines from Steps 14 & 15 should be staked down separately
$79.00 – $1,972.80