Moths and Other Insects

[DeadInTheBasement]

well i have now now covered the porch of my family's houses that we don't really use much with sheets and set out my new mercury vapor lamp!

last night i saw about 15 tulip tree silk moths, 5 lunas, 2 rosy maple moths, 6 dobson flies, 1 grapevine beetle and unknown amounts of things i have no idea what are hopefully the rhino and stag beetles emerge soon and i find some of those :mellow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySmE21-RA7Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG5RA5mccDM

 

[lancaster1313]

That looks like alot of fun, I hope to be able to do it one night.

It appears that you found many beautiful insects!

 

[sporeworld]

Very jealous. My moth-hunt got put on hold. But I just love to see Lunas in the wild! Congrats!

 

[What]

Glad its working so well for you. Puts my finds to shame...

 

[PhilinYuma]

Great job, great video! Can you give us details about the wattage and type of your mercury vapor lamp, please?

 

[DeadInTheBasement]

its a 175watt mercury vapor bulb and a H39 ballast

thanks to the help of a friend(forum member "What") i got this together and even though its simple i doubt i could have done it without his help :lol:

this link pretty much explains everything on how to put one together http://nitro.biosci.arizona.edu/zEEB/butterflies/JoelMV.html

 

[PhilinYuma]

Thanks, mate! that looks doable. I'll look at Radio Shack for the step-up transformer case. I can use it on my patio with household AC if my neighbors don't set their dogs on me at 2.00 a.m! One last thing. Do you guarantee that I'll get the same bugs that you did? :lol:

 

[What]

I'll look at Radio Shack for the step-up transformer case.

Go for a 50cal ammo box, seriously...dont screw around. Its easier, provides space to store stuff, and looks cool.

The socket(with mounting plate not in photo), bulb, and cord going to them all fits into the box w/ some bubble wrap keeping everything safe.



And...get a 400w inverter from Harbor Freight (mine was $15 on sale w/ coupon), hook the leads up to your idling car's battery... And voila:



Another note to anyone wanting one of these...you might have to hunt (read: buy a commercial lamp fixture off ebay). As I understand the situation, due to regulations MV ballasts are illegal to import/manufacture as of 2008, dont go expecting to find them at your local hardware store. :/

 

[DeadInTheBasement]

doesn't really have much to do with this thread but i took this photo of the mercury vapor bulb tonight with my ipod and it came out looking trippy :lol:

 

[PhilinYuma]

Wild! And it does have a moth in it!

 

[PhilinYuma]

Trip's the word. And it does have a moth in it!