COLLECTING 



With a few notable exceptions, such as Psephenus and Eubrianax among the 

 psephenids and such flightless elmids as Ancyronyx and Macronychus most 

 of our dryopoid adults can be effectively collected with light traps and 

 black lights. To be successful with this method, of course, one must use 

 it when the adults have emerged from pupation. The best time will vary 

 with locality, seasonal and weather conditions, and species. For example, 

 in Oklahoma in an average year, Ectopria may be taken in abundance at 

 lights on humid nights in very late May and early June; at other times 

 they are unlikely to be taken. Specimens collected at lights are ideal 

 for taxonomic purposes, at least in that they are not encrusted with 

 mineral deposits or bedecked with epizoic organisms such as diatoms and 

 ciliates. 



Perhaps the most useful general method of collecting the aquatic larvae 

 and adults that inhabit gravelly and rocky riffles is to hold a delta net 

 against the bottom in such a way as to catch the organisms dislodged 

 while turning over rocks just upstream from the net, or vigorously 

 stirring up the gravel by hand, heel, alpenstock, or whatever is at hand. 

 (A small rake serves rather well.) This is probably the best method for 

 most of the elmids and Helichus. 



Nets are not effective for most of the species that cling tightly to 

 submerged wood or plants. Usually one must remove logs or sticks from 

 the water, turn them over, let them drain briefly, then laboriously pick 

 off the specimens as they creep downward. The same can be done with 

 rocks, and this is often very productive. Or one can place the stick or 

 rock over a white pan or old sheet and let the specimens collect them- 

 selves (they will accompanied, of course, by caddis worms and most of 

 their other former neighbors) . These techniques are best for such genera 

 as Ancyronyx 3 Macronychus, Gonietmis, and Heterelmis. Most larval 

 psephenids must be picked off the rocks. 



For species that inhabit such things as submerged plants or roots, a 

 Berlese funnel may be the most productive collecting device. Quantities 

 of the plant materials can be transported in large plastic bags to the 

 laboratory and placed in the funnel beneath some source of heat (light 

 bulbs are adequate) . A screen of hardware cloth prevents the larger 

 objects from falling below, but the beetles will drop into a waiting 

 receptacle of preservative. This is a good method for getting large 

 numbers of Dubiraphia. 



Disturbing trash (leaves, etc.) lodged on sticks or rocks in streams 

 while holding a net downstream to catch the dislodged specimens being 

 swept down afloat is effective for collecting Dryops, Limniohus, 

 Phanocerus, Psephenus, and Lutrochus. For dislodged specimens swept 

 downstream underwater, it is good for getting Helichus, Heterelmis, and 

 Microcy I loepus . 



