Litter sheet Collecting
Author: Adam Haberski
Mississippi Entomological Museum, Mississippi State University, MS 39762
Uploaded November 27, 2025
Many small and difficult to collect arthropods live in leaf litter. Although they are best collected in mass via litter sifting or pitfall traps, those methods require bulky equipment that is not always practical to carry. A portal alternative is to spread litter on a white sheet and collect the arthropods by hand with forceps or an aspirator. The white color makes otherwise cryptic arthropods easily visible, especially when they move. A 3’ x 3’ section of plastic shower curtains works best because it doesn’t absorb water from the soil, and it does not stain, which would decrease visibility. The sheet can be shaken clean when finished and folded up for transport. It is light weight and takes up little room in a backpack.
Adam Haberski aspirating insects from a litter sheet |
