The 15-watt patio lantern succumbed to catastrophic grid failure Saturday night during a final, blinding standoff with a heavy-armored summer beetle.
A Flowtron BK-15D Electronic Insect Killer, whose unyielding violet glow defined four consecutive summers on a Midwestern deck, died suddenly on Saturday following a catastrophic final encounter with a massive June bug. It was 4.
Purchased on clearance in 2021, the 15-watt polycarbonate lantern lived a life of quiet, high-voltage utility. It weathered being left outside through three consecutive blizzards, held the neighborhood record for single-night moth casualties, and once valiantly tripped the main circuit breaker while attempting to vaporize a rogue cicada.
It was jarringly loud and made every backyard conversation feel like an active combat zone, but it never stopped working to protect my potato salad.
The device is survived by a rusted citronella bucket and a decorative string of Edison bulbs. Memorial services will be held at the county e-waste drop-off center on Thursday, or whenever the trunk of the family crossover is finally cleaned out.