The Quick Set Malaise trap is used to efficiently sample flying insect biodiversity, especially flies (Diptera) and (Hymenoptera). It combines the collecting efficacy of the Townes-style Malaise trap with a rapid setup. The Quick Set Malaise trap is set up with only two tent poles and a few guy lines to keep it taut. The standard Townes’ style Malaise trap has been the go-to insect trap for sampling flying insects since its inception in 1962. One of its few downsides, however, is the need for a central pole and numerous guy lines attached to stakes or surrounding vegetation which can limit the placement or increase difficulty for setting up the trap in particular areas. The Quick Set Malaise trap solves these difficulties with the addition of two tent poles that support the side panels such that only a few additional guy lines are needed to keep the entire structure taut. The Quick Set Malaise trap also features an improved collecting head design. Previous commercial Malaise traps often have a direct connection between the mesh tent and an upper bottle. This type of connection is problematic as the mesh near the bottle is liable to stretch and tear and the collecting heads themselves eventually deteriorate with constant UV exposure. Repairing these components is difficult and tedious. To avoid this problem, all Claridge Traps Malaise traps use a clear high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic collecting head which is more durable and is inserted into a mesh entrance at the top of the trap so it can be easily replaced if necessary. Like all Malaise traps, the Quick Set Malaise trap works by intercepting flying insects. In this case, insects are blocked from passing by the central panel which is made of a semi-transparent black mesh. Many insects are phototropic and will travel upwards into the preservative-filled collecting head. The collecting bottles usually need to be emptied and replaced approximately every week or two depending on the location, insect abundance, and evaporation of the preservative (usually ethanol). A well-placed Malaise trap can collect thousands of insects. The resulting samples will consist mainly of flies (Diptera) and wasps (Hymenoptera) but many other groups like beetles (Coleoptera), moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), and true bugs (Hemiptera) will also be collected. The Quick Set Malaise trap can also work as a bottom collecting flight intercept trap by placing pans at the bottom of the central panel. Doing so will collect weaker fliers like many beetles.
