When Benny and I were little, we used to bait a large Havahart trap and leave it in the backyard overnight. We caught squirrels, possums and raccoons. Half the fun was the surprise of what might be inside when we woke up the next day. The game ended the morning we discovered we had caught a skunk... The Solar Insect Theater is kind of the same idea, just with less risk of skunk capture and extraction.
Basically it's a wooden bug box with a solar powered light that charges during the day and lures insects at night. The insects "can leave anytime they want" although most naturally choose to remain in the box and repeatedly bash themselves against the walls, window and light bulb. By morning, the bugs are nice and serene, and you and your young'ins can wake up and admire junebugs, katydids, Mothra and friends.
Unfortunately I can't find a States-based link to buy this overpriced science toy, but if you live in Brittania, you're in luck.
My wife works for Buglife, and finding this gadget made her day - of course it means we might now have to buy one...
A little disturbing....
Ooh... I smell the makings of a WASP FACTORY!!!!111!!
Thanks for this post.