** Attention Valued Customers,
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.
MegaView is proud to announce the release of the SLAM trap - the Sea, Land, and Air Malaise trap that floats on water, stands on the ground, and hangs in the sky.
Installation of the standard SLAM trap 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.
   
Left to right (click to enlarge): 1) click hooks to poles for quick installation;
standard SLAM trap as flight intercept trap with 2) ground cloth or 3) collecting trays;
4) standard SLAM trap raised above marsh grasses
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.
Left to right (click to enlarge): 1) standard SLAM trap above high grass;
2) standard SLAM trap above high bush; 3) standard SLAM trap in canopy;
4) daisy-chain of three standard SLAM traps
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.
   
Left to right (click to enlarge): 1) standard SLAM trap on a lake;
2) soda bottle & pole connected with float connecter;
3) collecting head entrance; 4) collecting head ventilation window
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**, 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.
Applications of the standard SLAM trap are limited only by your imagination. These lightweight SLAM traps can even be hung in series from a weather balloon to find out which insects fly above the canopy.
1 SLAM Trap
3 Collecting Bottles (500 ml)
5 Tent Pegs
Specifications
Dimensions: See diagram
Weight: 1.3 kg (includes all accessories)
Color: Black with white roof
Materials: Support Poles - Shock-corded aluminum or fiberglass
Materials: Collecting Bottle - Polyethylene
Assembly
SLAM Trap on Land
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Remove collecting bottle from zippered pocket on top of SLAM trap.
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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.
Careful: do not over bend pole.
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Clip hooks around pole. Take care to maintain gentle curve in pole.
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Repeat Steps 3-4 with second pole and black pockets.
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Put collecting bottle back into zippered pocket on top of SLAM trap.
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Fasten ribbons around neck of collecting bottle.
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Close pocket zipper to secure collecting bottle in place.
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Remove moth excluder from collecting head entrance if not needed.
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Use tent pegs to stake trap to ground in case of wind.
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Black loops (about two-thirds up side of trap) are for guy lines (not included) for extra support in strong wind.
SLAM Trap on Water
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Complete Steps 1-9.
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Use built-in ribbons to tie one float connector of floating kid (sold separately) to each corner of SLAM trap. Make sure larger end faces down.
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Remove pole ends from corner pockets.
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Insert pole ends into hole in top of float connectors.
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Assemble 3-segment poles of floating kit. Make sure segments are entirely seated in joints.
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Insert one pole into adjacent corner pockets of trap to form one side of bottom frame.
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Repeat Step 15 with remaining poles to complete all 4 sides. This bottom frame stabilizes SLAM trap in wind and waves.
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Pour water into four soda bottles (not included). Screw bottles into bottom of float connectors. We suggest using 2-L bottles and filling them about 65% with water (1.3 liters). This will produce enough buoyancy and weight to help trap float steadily on fresh water. Even so, you should test on site to see how much water is actually needed.
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Wet traps are top heavy. Increase buoyancy by tying an empty 2-L bottle to each corner if rain is expected.
NOTE Parts of trap floating kit do not float. They will sink if dropped in water.
SLAM Trap in Air (aerial Malaise trap)
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Complete Steps 1-9.
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Use corner ribbons to tie on bottom collector (sold separately).
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Throw a rope over tree branch.
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Tie other end of rope around poles where they cross at top of SLAM trap.
Avoid blocking collecting head entrance.
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A second trap can be hung from loop in center of bottom of SLAM trap.
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Run a line through stake loops to ensure traps have same orientation.
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Repeat Step 15 on opposite side of trap. This will prevent them from spinning.
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Haul trap up into air.
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Stake down lines. Lines from Steps 15 & 16 should be staked down separately.
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