Aspirator

Definition

A handheld suction device used to capture small, delicate arthropods without causing damage. The classic entomological aspirator consists of a vial or collecting chamber with two tubes: one fitted with a mouthpiece (often protected by gauze or mesh to prevent accidental ingestion) and a second, finer tube directed toward the specimen. Suction draws the arthropod into the chamber, where it is held for examination or preservation. Aspirators are essential for collecting active or fragile insects and mites that resist forceps or sweeping nets, such as ants, small beetles, leafhoppers, and spiders.

Etymology

From Latin aspirare, to breathe toward or blow upon; the term was adopted for suction devices in medicine and later adapted for entomological field use.

Example

A myrmecologist uses an aspirator to collect live worker ants from a nest entrance for behavioral experiments, ensuring the specimens remain unharmed for colony rearing.

Synonyms

• pooter

Related Terms

• Berlese funnel
• beating tray
• sweep net
• pitfall trap
• mouth aspirator
• mechanical aspirator
• D-vac

Usage Notes

The term 'pooter' is common British usage and widely used in informal field contexts; 'aspirator' predominates in North American and formal literature. Mouth-operated aspirators require careful hygiene and are increasingly replaced by battery-powered mechanical aspirators or reverse-flow designs (where the collector blows rather than sucks) to reduce disease risk when handling medically important arthropods. The device is distinguished from aquatic aspirators (for sampling benthic invertebrates) and medical aspirators by context and construction.