Make an Insect Aspirator

Some insects are just too small! Even if we try to carefully pick them up with forceps, they either escape or are crushed. What to do?

Answer: Make an insect aspirator! An insect aspirator is a simple tool scientists use to collect bugs and insects that are too small to be picked up manually. Basically it’s a mini bug vacuum!

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Download Student Worksheet & Exercises

Here’s what we’ll need:

• A small vial or test tube with a (snug fitting) two-holed rubber stopper.
• Two short pieces of stiff plastic tubing. We’ll call them tube A and tube B.
• Fine wire mesh (very small holes because this is what will stop the bugs from going into your mouth!)
• A cotton ball.
• One to two feet of flexible rubber tubing.
• Duct tape or a rubber band.

Here’s how we make it:

• Insert the tube A and Tube B into the stopper such that the stopper is in the middle of both pieces.
• Bend both A and B plastic tubing 90 degrees away from each other. Their ends should be pointing away from each other.
• Cut a square of mesh large enough to the end of the plastic tubing. Tape (or rubber-band) the mesh over bottom of tube A only. Remember, if you cover both of the tubes the bugs won’t be able to enter the aspirator.
• Insert a small amount of cotton ball into the other side of tube A (not enough to block airflow, just enough to help filter the dust and particles entering the vial.
• Cut another piece of mesh and cover the other end of Tube A. Secure that mesh with another piece of tape/rubber band.
•  Fit the rubber tubing over the top of tube B (the bent side).
• Fit the stopper into the vial/test tube.

How it works: To use the aspirator, hold the end of the rubber tubing near the insects you want to collect, and suck through the top of tube A. The vacuum you create sucks the insects into the vial/test tub (make sure they can fit in the tube!).

Troubleshooting: The bugs aren’t being pulled into the vial! In that case the suction may not be strong enough. Remove the cotton ball and try again. If it still is not working check to make sure the aspirator is air-tight (is the stopper fitting snuggly into the vial? Are there cracks/holes around or in the plastic tubes?).

TIP: I kept eating bugs! Make sure your wire mesh is very fine (the holes are smaller than the bugs you’re trying to collect). Otherwise you may be ordering a lunch you don’t want!

Exercises

1. Why don’t we use a large vacuum to suck up the bugs?
2.  Why do we need a small mesh covering on the end of the straw that we suck on?
3.  Why do we need to be careful about catching ants?
4.  What insects did you catch that you rarely see?
5.  What familiar insects did you catch? (answers may vary).

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