How to collect insects

The insects are collected along predetermined routes, covering five different habitats and land uses in Denmark: forest, wetland, pasture, city and agricultural fields. When you volunteer as an Insectmobile pilot, you must make four drives in total, which will cover 1-2 types of the habitats. Your will drive two different routes at two different time slots: between 12-15 and 16-19. Each route is 10 km long in total and you should expect about 10 minutes per drive with a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h.

While you drive a route, insects are sampled in the net on your car roof. Once you have finished a route, you have to close the small collecting bag at the end of the car-net, by pulling the string. The collecting bag can now be safely removed from the car-net. The insects in the net-end are conserved in plastic bottles containing ethanol.

You will receive a package with everything you need to collect insects. There will also be information and instructions, and video guides on our site.

When should the insects be collected?

Like humans and other animals, insects are less active in rainy and windy weather. Therefore, you should only collect insects on days where:

• It does not rain
• The wind speed is maximum 5 m/s
• The temperature is above 15 ˚C

The maximum speed is 50 km/h when driving with the net mounted. Please be aware of other cars on the road and make room for them to overtake.