Assessing the Performance of a 3D Printed Pennsylvania-Style Black Light Moth Trap

Passive light traps have long been a popular method used for trapping moths and other night-flying insects. Recent changes in the availability of equipment necessitate the development of accessible and effective alternatives for insect monitoring. This study assesses the performance of a 3D-printed Pennsylvania-style black light moth trap compared to the formerly available commercial BioQuip trap and investigates the impact of funnel size on catch rates. Our 3D-printed trap was compared to the BioQuip trap over ten trap-nights in Central Michigan. Results indicate that commercial BioQuip traps consistently captured significantly more moths than the 3D-printed prototype. An additional experiment evaluating the effect of funnel diameters on trap performance revealed that larger funnels generally caught a greater number of moths. While the commercial trap outperformed the initial 3D-printed design, likely due to differences in light source and funnel size, the 3D-printed trap offers a viable, cost-effective, and reproducible alternative. This technology enhances accessibility for citizen scientists, educational programs, and smaller research labs, promoting widespread moth monitoring crucial for addressing global insect declines. Future research should focus on optimizing LED light sources and trap geometry to further close the performance gap.