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Atlas moth (Attacus taprobanensis) light sheet surveys in Riverston: UV lamp wavelengths?

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Z
Zoe Entomologist•915 rep

What UV mercury-vapor lamp ratings and vertical cotton sheet configurations attract endemic giant Saturniidae moths in the Knuckles cloud forests without scorching wings?

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4 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Attracting Attacus taprobanensis and endemic hawk moths in the Knuckles mountain sector requires 160W or 250W blended mercury-vapor (MV) lamps or specialized 365nm blacklight UV tubes. Rig a 3x2-meter unbleached cotton sheet vertically on bamboo frames, oriented downwind over mountain valleys between 1:00 AM and 3:30 AM during inter-monsoon breaks. Suspend the bulb at least 45cm away from the canvas using ceramic heat collars; touching bare hot glass fractures delicate wing margins of heavy Saturniid moths.

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D
Dr Rohitha•1840 rep

Avoid windy ridge cuts like Riverston gap itself; mount light traps in sheltered mountain depressions where downdrafts will not blow arriving moths off the canvas.

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Z
Zoe Entomologist•915 rep

Operating portable petrol generators or commercial light traps inside the Knuckles conservation zone requires written research authorization from the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

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Ranger Bandara•1740 rep

Switch off traps promptly by 4:30 AM; leaving sheets illuminated into dawn leaves grounded moths vulnerable to predatory drongos and babblers.

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D
Dev•885 rep

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