An electric field screen prevents captured insects from escaping by depriving bioelectricity generated through insect movements

An insulated conductor wire (ICW) paralleled with an earthed net was used to observe movements by vinegar flies in relation to their electricity release. ICW was negatively charged to create a positive charge on the net. At particular voltages, flies were attracted to ICW. This attraction was triggered by the deprivation of the insect negative charge with the net. Eventually the insects became net positive and were drawn to the ICW negative charge. The attracted insects generated bioelectricity through skeletal muscular movements. However, the electricity produced was depleted by the net without neutralizing their positive charge in the insect body.

► We constructed a simplified electric field screen to trap insects. ► The screen consists of an insulated conductor wire (-) and an earthed net (+). ► The electric power was generated by muscular movements of the trapped insect. ► The earthed net deprived the negative charges of the insect to make it net positive. ► These insects were drawn toward the negative charge of the opposite pole.