California ATBI
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Malaise Trap Program

Passively collect flying insects to help build a reference library of California’s biodiversity.

Apply for a trap kit How it works

By application · Staff review your site and deployment plans.

Malaise trap deployed in a wooded field site.
Weekly
Swap bottles
4x Collections
At least four per trap
Return & Resupply
Send bottles back; request fresh supplies

Start here: watch the program overview

See how to set up your trap, collect insects and return your bottles.

Download field guide

PDF · 557 KB · Illustrated field instructions

Data submission walkthroughWatch on YouTube

How it works

From your field site to the CalATBI collection.

  1. Four possible sites: flowers, woodland edge, near water and natural flyways.

    Choose a Site & Set Up Your Trap

    Choose an accessible site and set up your trap with the field guide.

    Site & setup tips
  2. Hands replacing a Malaise trap collection bottle.

    Swap Bottles Each Week

    Replace the bottle about weekly; cap and store the one you remove.

    Bottle care & storage
  3. Recording a removed bottle in Survey123.

    Submit Survey Data

    Record each bottle you remove in Survey123.

    Open Survey123
  4. Capped collection bottles with supplied return packaging.

    Return Bottles & Resupply

    Send bottles back with UPS and mark whether you need fresh supplies.

    Packing & resupply

Every bottle you remove needs its own Survey123 record. Routine returns are bottles and samples; keep the trap for continued collecting.

In your kit

Four bottles per trap. Eight for two traps.

Complete Malaise kit: trap, poles, stakes, guy lines, trap head, four bottles, prepaid mailer and guide.View larger kit photo
  • Malaise trap & trap head
  • Poles, stakes & guy lines
  • Bottles with 95% ethanol
  • Prepaid return mailer
  • Illustrated field guide

Flying insects hit the mesh, move upward toward the light, and enter the collection bottle.

Practical help

Open the guidance you need, when you need it.

Choose a site & assemble your trap

Choose an accessible place you can revisit: floral areas, woodland edges, places near water or natural flyways. Describe your deployment in the application and follow the program’s insect-collection permit requirements before collecting.

  1. Insert the poles into the holes closest to the center. Work upward, clipping the trap to the poles as you go.
  2. Insert the trap head. Stake down the trap and add guy lines in windy areas.
  3. Write the start date on the bottom of the collection bottle.
  4. Screw the lid onto the top of the trap head, then firmly attach the collection bottle below.
Follow the illustrated field guide
Weekly bottle changes & safe storage

About once a week, replace the collection bottle with a fresh supplied bottle containing ethanol. Cap the bottle you removed and submit its Survey123 collection record.

Cold-store collected bottles as directed in the field guide—in a freezer, fridge, or a cool, dark place. The colder the better.

Complete at least four collections per trap. The collection weeks do not need to be consecutive.

Ethanol is flammable. Keep it away from heat, sparks, and flames. Keep bottles closed. Do not drink; avoid eye contact.

Survey123: app, browser & bottle IDs

Open Survey123 while you have service, before your first bottle change. Record the bottle you are removing—not the fresh bottle you are attaching.

Choose Open in the web app or Open in the field app. Do not choose Open in Survey123 Mobile for this survey. A phone’s web browser works; the field app supports offline collection.

Follow the data submission walkthrough Open Survey123
Pack your return & request fresh bottles
  1. Mark YES on the physical return-mailer resupply sticker to request fresh bottles, or NO if you’re finished collecting.
  2. Firmly re-tighten every bottle cap to prevent leaks.
  3. Seal the bottles in the supplied bag, then seal the bag inside the return mailer.
  4. Drop the sealed package at a UPS location using the supplied prepaid label.

One trap: four bottles. Two traps: eight. You do not need to wait for eight bottles if you have one trap.

Our team will process your resupply choice when your samples arrive. Resupply is fresh bottles for your existing trap.

Planning to sample later?

Our prepaid return labels are valid for about 100 days from when they are created. We recommend waiting to order until you're ready to sample. If your label expires, email support@hokanbio.com and we'll email you a replacement. Reprinting the same label does not renew it.

Attaching a replacement return label

We can email a replacement to print and attach to the outside of your return packaging, covering the old shipping label and barcode. Downloading or reprinting an existing label does not restart its validity period.

Bring your site into the inventory.

Tell us where you’d place a trap and how you plan to collect.

Apply for a trap kit
Can I request two traps?

Yes. The form accepts up to two Malaise trap kits; staff review all requests. For larger requests, describe your needs in the form’s comments.

What if my plans change?

Contact the kit team for equipment questions or help with your collection plans.

Questions? support@hokanbio.com