NICE job!
Far as PLA and heat.. I made a lamp door cover for a projector which had a missing door ( you guys call them beamers in the UK) and it expanded and actually broke the projector case. I fixed the case and make one with ABS and never had another issue. Also made some prosthetics which need the arm cuff termoformed.. Watching PLA turn to a limp noodle in 100C water is very eye opening as to how fast and soft it gets.. Anyway, its all good, use what works best for you and the finished part!
I think there was a B horror movie with some giants that used something similar to your bug catcher to catch people! :-)