Berlese Funnel

Information
A berlese funnel is a device that is used to extract insects from soil and litter samples. It was invented by Antonio Berlese and later improved. by Tullgren. Basically, it uses a heat source (in this case a light bulb) to dry the sample, forcing the insects through a screen and into a jar of preserving fluid. It is a useful tool for attaining cryptic species that would otherwise evade even the most avid collector.
 

Step 1 Materials

Materials; These are the materials that I used, but I just used what I had around. Please feel free to take the idea here and modify it. 
-1 gallon tractor funnel; I ordered mine through ace hardware for about $16
-Reflector light fixture (That's the only thing I know to call it. I got mine at tractor supply for  brooding chicks and quail.)  It should have a diameter equal or greater than that of the funnel, but if you find one with equal diameter it looks cleaner. The funnel and light used here both measure about 10". 
-cat litter bucket; The funnel sat well in this bucket, so I used it. Basically, you just need to suspend the funnel above the killing jar.
- 1/4" wire mesh cut to fit snugly into the funnel.
-Mid sized jar; Nothing Special.
-Clothes pin
-Some flexible wire; a few inches will suffice. 
-light bulb; I'm not sure what the best wattage of bulb is best here, so experiment. Just don't leave it alone and accidentally catch your house on fire.

Comments

[MistaStokes]

Sounds like something from minecraft lol

[TheOnlyRick]

Just remember, you can make a Berlese Funnel without the killing jar!
I guess I depends what you want it for...

[tuckerlancaster]

Definitely a good point. Observation of a live specimen provides far more valuable information than a preserved specimen alone. If you are collecting them alive, make sure to coat the inside lip of the jar with fluon, petroleum jelly, talc, or some other barrier to insects.

[kcbford1]

COOL

[eltonh1011]

What liquid did you put in your killing jar?

[tuckerlancaster]

Rubbing alcohol or water with a little soap in it would do, or you could rub some fluon or Vaseline on the lip of the containter, use no killing agent, and collect them alive.

[Wazzupdoc]

I've had great success with the following formula for insects, small fish and other small critters (especially spiders). Specimens stay soft a pliable for years and photograph well in the solution due to the refractive index of the glycerine.
All available at the local drug store:

"Bug Juice"

1 part glycerine
1 part 95% isopropyl alcohol
1 part deionized water (distilled, or Britta filtered or equivalent)

I keep a pint bottle in my collection bag.

[tuckerlancaster]

Does that formula preserve the coloration of the specimens? I put the springtail above in 95% isopropyl alcohol, and it promptly became a whitish color.

[Wazzupdoc]

It seems to do a fine job on the color. Go to my Facebook page (Tim Shickley) and see the profile picture of the spider. That was in the juice for about 2-3 years before the photo was taken for a macrophotography class.

[TheGreenShaman]

This is great ! Perfect timing. I've recently gotten into Entomophagy and I have been trying to think of a way to collect bugs in a semi-automated way, rather than spending hours sifting through the forest floor. Of course this will take a bit of modification and multiple units made to be productive enough for my needs but this instructable certainly gets my gears of imagination going. Thanks.

[pdub77]

What are you looking to eat?

[TheGreenShaman]

Worms,grubs,larvae,beetles. Most anything is up for grabs. Since information on this subject is scarce and scattered it's pretty much a prep and taste test for anything collected. Soon to start raising worms, crickets and mealworms/beetles, but need to expand the menu with wild harvested insects.

[stouchet]

I will try to modify this for my vermicompost bin.

[mtaranow]

Hi,

If you have time, would you please let usknow how it worked out for you?

Thanks!

[tuckerlancaster]

That sounds like a great idea. Post if you get one together...

[sflyte120]

Awesome!! Springtails for all!!

[kennan]

A really special Instructable. Thanks.

[twhaley]

I soooo need one of these!!!!

[drbill]

Yes, but will it remove BedBugs ?

[tuckerlancaster]

Perhaps a giant one. Or, you could shred up your mattress and feed it through in batches, but somehow I don't think people would go for that...

[rimar2000]

Interesting, thanks for sharing it.

[aeray]

This kind of obscure project is exactly why I love Instructables! Keep it up, man! I never knew such a thing existed, but now I feel compelled to build one.