Forum Entomologi Italiani

Hi!

Do anyone know if UV blacklight works better than the ML/HPL lights (like this one: http://naturalhistory.ku.edu/sites/defa ... g-0131.jpg) for Coleoptera?

Grazie!

Hello Thijmen,

I think the answer to your question should be already written somwhere here on the forum or in the net ,but I'll give you my oppinion.
An uv bulb is deffinitely more effective compared to other kind of bulbs with same power.This can be compensated by the higher power of the Hg bulbs.For example when collecting at night on white sheet I would prefer a 400W Hg bulb than 16W uv bulb.An uv bulb is more suitable for light traps or when you have less power supply or you leave the light for a long period of time.
When collecting at night on white sheet,of course you can use both or even only an uv light.
Also you have to know that uv light could be quite harmful for the eyes especially at night or when looking directly to the bulb ,so you have to wear glasses when exposure is longer(for example sun glasses with uv protection).


Georgi