The Suction Trap Network (STN) was initially established in Illinois by Dr. David Voegtlin, emeritus INHS, in 2001. In 2005, the STN expanded to multiple states across the US Midwest. Most of suction trap locations were placed on university research farms and few in private farms (See partners list).

The STN generates insects crops data and watches for new invasive species (See data).

The suction traps are about 5.8 m high (Figure 1) and capture winged-insects through the suction of air through the standing pipe into a bottle filled with propylene glycol (Figure 2). Propylene glycol is used because it preserves the insects and it is not considered a hazardous liquid for shipping. The fan operates from 7 am to 8 pm from the third week of May through the third week of October. The suction traps samples are collected and mailed weekly to Dr. Doris Lagos-Kutz for insects’ identification.