An Unexpensive Self-Produced Trap for Entomological Monitoring in Libraries and Archives

Abstract We present here a self-made trap we designed for monitoring the presence of insects responsible of biodeterioration in a library in the center of Rome (Biblioteca Angelica). The trap was very effective in capturing all types of crawling insects. The trap, made from a transparent plastic layer, allowed the microscopic observation of animal body from both sides with no need of removing the specimen from the entomological scotch on it. Besides, this small transparent trap has a minimal visual impact within the halls of libraries and museums without diminishing its effectiveness and it is easy to place even within cabinets. We therefore recommend the use of this trap, simple and unexpensive to prepare, in libraries, archives, museum and any other conservative environment for monitoring the presence of insects and to contain the size of their populations.