A device for capturing insects comprises a housing (10) with a capturing opening (11) and comprises an immobilizing device for at least temporarily immobilizing the insects. Captured insects are kept in a collecting device (13) for collecting and retaining after they have passed through the capturing opening (11). Insects can be captured in a simple and convenient manner by virtue of the fact that a capturing area, which can be influenced at least temporarily by the immobilizing device, is provided outside of the device having the associated capturing space (14) in order to bring the insects from this capturing space to the collecting device (13) via the capturing opening, and that the immobilizing device is formed by at least one light source (12) for blinding the insects. After switching on the immobilizing device, the capturing space must be merely placed over the insect so that the insect then enters the collecting device (13).