The Bug Bazooka is my invention for transferring meadow plankton from sweep net to vivarium. Here's how you build and use it.
Parts:
(1) plastic radiator (or large) funnel
(1) 2" PVC straight connector
(1) 2" PVC pipe X approx. 3" long
(1) 2" PVC pipe X approx. 6" long (user's preference)
(2) 2" PVC caps
(1) 2" diameter piece of plastic needlepoint screen
Hot glue or suitable adhesive
Construction:
Cut a hole in the bottom of the funnel so the opening is the same as the inside diameter of the PVC pipe. A hole saw works well for this. Glue the 3" length of PVC to the bottom of the funnel and attach the 2" straight connector.
Glue a piece of plastic needlepoint screen to one end of a section of PVC pipe. Place cap over screened end. This is the bazooka. That's it, now go collect insects.
Use:
Use a good quality sweep net to collect insects. Attach open (unscreened end) of PVC bazooka to the connector on funnel. Dump contents of sweep net into funnel and shake contents (crud and all) into bazooka. Remove bazooka from funnel and cap open end. Place the bazooka in your vivarium and uncap screened end. Enjoy the carnage!
Tips:
If your light hoods are deep enough and have space, you can screw a 2" connector inside the light hood to attach the opened bazooka and keep it out of view while feeding. Your vivarium inhabitants will enjoy the invertebrate "rain".
Use a domed cap on the open end and a flat cap on the screened end to easily differentiate between the two ends and provide a flat surface to stand the bazooka on while filling.
Don't use transparent materials for the bazooka. Animals will try to eat insects through the bazooka and may either injure themselves or lose interest.