Plastic Bottle Berlese Funnel

Gather insects from soil or leaf litter with a Berlese funnel! Cut a large plastic bottle in half. Fold a paper towel, moisten the paper towel with distilled water and place the towel in the bottom half of the bottle. Place the top half of the bottle into the bottom half, cut a piece of hardware screen or mesh and cover the screen with a piece of cheesecloth or gauze. Pour the dirt or leaf litter into the bottle, set the Berlese funnel under a desk lamp and look for the bugs that fall or climb into the bottom chamber.