Continuing survey for arthropod diversity - during this visit I would be interested in: 1) Hand netting of free-flying insects, beating, and sweeping of vegetation and/or turning small rocks for careful capture of individual specimens. Any dislocated rocks are returned to their original position. Nocturnal visual searches with headlamp for ground dwelling arthropods. 2) Pitfall trapping; short-term small bucket pitfall traps with propylene glycol to capture ground-dwelling arthropods. A small hole is dug (at discretion of park staff) to contain a 1-2 quart plastic container. A wood shield is then placed down over the top of the bucket to prevent direct sunlight exposure and to protect against birds/larger mammals from digging the trap. Ground-dwelling insects randomly fall into the trap and are preserved. 3) UV light sheet to attract nocturnal insect groups such as moths and velvet ants that are best found by this method. UV light sheets will be set up with a UV black light bulb, located near the reserve buildings and powered via an extension cord if possible. The light sheet will be continually monitored and only individual insects are captured by hand.

Approved