Nocturnal pop suction-trap sampling 2023

Between May and September 2023, nocturnal insects were collected between dusk and dawn using a pop-up suction trap at four UK sites: Rothamsted, Silwood Park, Wellesbourne, and Brooms Barn. The dataset encompasses counts of invertebrate families, providing insights into seasonal and spatial patterns of nocturnal insect activity. Sampling aimed to capture a broad representation of aerial insect biodiversity as a proxy for prey availability of Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus bat species. The dataset offers a valuable resource for understanding temporal and spatial variation in prey available to these bat species and can support research in this trophic system.

Pop-up suction trap sampling from dusk to dawn, adjacent to the 12.2 m permanent suction-trap. Rotated between different sites; Rothamsted, Silwood Park, Wellesbourne, and Brooms Barn.

Insect samples were collected from the nocturnal trap and placed into a mixture of 66:34 industrial methylated spirit : water solution and later stored in a 95:5 ethanol : glycerol solution, as is standard practice by the Rothamsted Insect Survey. Hannah Romanowski then identified the insect samples to family level where possible, or to order as the broadest level of classification.