Models of insect flight traps designed by Townes (1972) and Masner & Goulet (1981) were modified. The original and the modified models were compared in their effectiveness in sampling orders of Insecta and families of Hymenoptera. The use of yellow painted trays strongly improved the effectiveness of the trap proposed by Masner & Goulet (1981). Joining in a same trap a yellow tray, typical of Masner & Goulet models, with a pot, typical of Malaise traps, did not reduce the individual effectiveness of each system. The association of such flight interception trap models, added to the attractiveness of the yellow color allowed the operation, at the same time and place, of the three techniques that have usually been employed apart. The result was the summation of standardized samples, without loss of individual effectiveness. A smaller human effort was demanded, because the maintenance and the handling of a larger number of traps were reduced. The financial cost was also smaller, considering the fabric economy. This associated model is indicated for large faunistic surveys because one technique compensates the lower effectiveness of the other in catching some taxa.
Insecta; Malaise traps; parasitoids; ecological methods; faunistic survey
