Name: low-cost automated flight intercept trap for the temporal sub-sampling of flying insects attracted to artificial light at night
Uploaded: 2021-12-29T14:15:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Low-Cost Automated Flight Intercept Trap for the Temporal Sub-Sampling of Flying Insects Attracted to Artificial Light at Night at JoVE.com

The research was funded through the La Trobe University Net Zero Fund, sponsored by Sonepar. The research was conducted under Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning scientific permit no. 10009741. We thank Martin Steinbauer for comments on an early draft and two anonymous reviewers.

1. Trap construction
NOTE: All of the components required to build the traps can be found in the Table of Materials. Each trap was constructed as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 by one person within 2 h.
<ol>
	<li>Use a jigsaw to cut the polycarbonate roofing sheets (8 mm x 610 mm x 2400 mm) into 610 mm x 230 mm sections (Figure 1, item 1 &#38; 2). Then cut a 8 mm center...

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	<li>Epsky, N. D., Morrill, W. L., Mankin, R. W., Capinera, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Traps+for+Capturing+Insects.">Traps for Capturing Insects.</a> Encyclopedia of Entomology. , (2008).</li><li>Catanach, T. A., Silvy, N. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Invertebrate+sampling+methods+for+use+in+wildlife+studies.">Invertebrate sampling methods for use in wildlife studies.</a> The Wildlife Techniques Manual. 1, 336-348 (2012).</li><li>Montgomery, G. A., Belitz, M. W., Guralnick, R. P., Tingley, M. 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J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+ultra-violet+traps+to+monitor+autumn+gum+moth,+Mnesampela+private+(Lepidoptera:+Geometridae),+in+south-eastern+Australia.">Using ultra-violet traps to monitor autumn gum moth, Mnesampela private (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), in south-eastern Australia.</a> Australian Forestry. 66 (4), 279-286 (2003).</li><li>Wakefield, A., Broyles, M., Stone, E. L., Harris, S., Jones, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantifying+the+attractiveness+of+broad-spectrum+street+lights+to+aerial+nocturnal+insects.">Quantifying the attractiveness of broad-spectrum street lights to aerial nocturnal insects.</a> Journal of Applied Ecology. 55, 714-722 (2017).</li><li>Williams, C. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+time+of+activity+of+certain+nocturnal+insects,+chiefly+Lepidoptera,+as+indicated+by+a+light-trap.">The time of activity of certain nocturnal insects, chiefly Lepidoptera, as indicated by a light-trap.</a> Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. 83 (4), 523-555 (1935).</li><li>Bolliger, J., Collet, M., Hohl, M., Obrist, M. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+flight-interception+traps+for+interval+sampling+of+insects.">Automated flight-interception traps for interval sampling of insects.</a> PLoS ONE. 15 (7), 0229476 (2020).</li><li>Grubisic, M., van Grunsven, R. H. A., Kyba, C. C. 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J., Cemak, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+design+and+some+preliminary+results+for+a+flight+intercept+trap+to+sample+forest+canopy+arthropods.">A new design and some preliminary results for a flight intercept trap to sample forest canopy arthropods.</a> Australian Journal of Entomology. 36, 51-55 (1997).</li><li>Lamarre, G. P. A., Molto, Q., Fine, P. V. A., Baraloto, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+comparison+of+two+common+flight+interception+traps+to+survey+tropical+arthropods.">A comparison of two common flight interception traps to survey tropical arthropods.</a> ZooKeys. 216, 43-55 (2012).</li><li>Wilkening, A. J., Foltz, J. L., Atkinson, T. H., Connor, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+omnidirectional+flight+trap+for+ascending+and+descending+insects.">An omnidirectional flight trap for ascending and descending insects.</a> The Canadian Entomologist. 113, 453-455 (1981).</li><li>Frost, S. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insects+captured+in+light+traps+with+and+without+baffles.">Insects captured in light traps with and without baffles.</a> The Canadian Entomologist. 90 (9), 566-567 (1958).</li><li>Muirhead-Thompson, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Trap responses of flying insects: The influence of trap design on capture efficiency. , 287 (1991).</li><li>Carrel, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+aerial-interception+trap+for+arthropod+sampling.">A novel aerial-interception trap for arthropod sampling.</a> Florida Entomologist. 85 (4), 656-657 (2002).</li><li>Steinbauer, M. J., Haslem, A., Edwards, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+meteorological+and+lunar+information+to+explain+catch+variability+of+Orthoptera+and+Lepidoptera+from+250+W+Farrow+light+traps.">Using meteorological and lunar information to explain catch variability of Orthoptera and Lepidoptera from 250 W Farrow light traps.</a> Insect Conservation and Diversity. 5, 367-380 (2012).</li><li>Recher, H. F., Majer, J. D., Ganesh, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seasonality+of+canopy+invertebrate+communities+in+eucalypt+forests+of+eastern+and+western+Australia.">Seasonality of canopy invertebrate communities in eucalypt forests of eastern and western Australia.</a> Australian Journal of Ecology. 21, 64-80 (1996).</li><li>van Klink, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Meta-analysis+reveals+declines+in+terrestrial+but+increases+in+freshwater+insect+abundances.">Meta-analysis reveals declines in terrestrial but increases in freshwater insect abundances.</a> Science. 368, 417-420 (2020).</li><li>Wagner, D. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insect+declines+in+the+Anthropocene.">Insect declines in the Anthropocene.</a> Annual Review of Entomology. 65, 457-480 (2020).</li><li>Cardoso, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Scientists'+warning+to+humanity+on+insect+extinctions.">Scientists' warning to humanity on insect extinctions.</a> Biological Conservation. 242, 108426 (2020).</li><li>Saunders, M. E., Janes, J. K., O'Hanlon, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Moving+on+from+the+insect+apocalypse+narrative:+Engaging+with+evidence-based+insect+conservation.">Moving on from the insect apocalypse narrative: Engaging with evidence-based insect conservation.</a> BioScience. 70 (1), 80-89 (2020).</li><li>Cardoso, P., Leather, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Predicting+a+global+insect+apocalypse.">Predicting a global insect apocalypse.</a> Insect Conservation and Diversity. 12, 263-267 (2019).</li><li>Owens, A. C. S., Cochard, P., Durrant, J., Perkin, E., Seymoure, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Light+pollution+is+a+driver+of+insect+declines.">Light pollution is a driver of insect declines.</a> Biological Conservation. 241, 108259 (2020).</li><li>Chapman, J. A., Kinghorn, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Window+traps+for+insects.">Window traps for insects.</a> The Canadian Entomologist. 87 (1), 46-47 (1955).</li><li>Canaday, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+insect+fauna+captured+in+six+different+trap+types+in+a+Douglas-fir+forest.">Comparison of insect fauna captured in six different trap types in a Douglas-fir forest.</a> The Canadian Entomologist. 119, 1101-1108 (2012).</li><li>Burns, M., Hancock, G., Robinson, J., Cornforth, I., Blake, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+novel+flight-interception+trap+designs+for+low-cost+forest+insect+surveys.">Two novel flight-interception trap designs for low-cost forest insect surveys.</a> British Journal of Entomology and Natural History. 27, 155-162 (2014).</li><li>Basset, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+composite+interception+trap+for+sampling+arthropods+in+tree+canopies.">A composite interception trap for sampling arthropods in tree canopies.</a> Journal of the Australian Entomological Society. 27, 213-219 (1988).</li><li>Russo, L., Stehouwer, R., Heberling, J. 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Despite the automated flight-intercept trap described by Bolliger et al. (2020)8 being well designed and very effective at sampling at user-defined time periods, they are likely to be cost-prohibitive for many researchers. This study shows that passive trapping surveys using automated traps for sub-sampling flying insects at user-defined periods can be carried out on a modest budget. Traps were built to sample at six pre-defined time points by utilizing a commercial pet food dispenser and material...

There are many arthropod sampling techniques1,2,3, but ecologists often have difficulty applying these methods in ways that are appropriate to their research questions (see4). When choosing an appropriate method for sampling insects, ecologists must consider the targeted species, time, effort, and cost involved in different techniques. For example, a common limitation is that it can be logistically challenging to sub-sample during specific time periods over replicated sites to quantify temporal variables which influence species activity, such as changes in weather or circadian activity (but see5). Most passive-survey insect traps are set for long periods (e.g., over multiple days, weeks, or even months), lacking fine-scale temporal resolution1. For surveys targeting specific time periods across multiple replicate sites (such as nocturnal sampling only across distinct sites), a large team may be required to visit sites over multiple days at the same time points (e.g., within 30 min of sunrise and sunset) to collect specimens and reset traps6; otherwise, an automated trapping device is required5,7,8.
There is a growing field of work on the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on insect activity patterns and localized population dynamics9,10; and on the interactions between ALAN and rates of insect predation4,11,12,13. However, to study the impacts of ALAN on nocturnal insect taxa, sampling needs to be confined to nighttime. Several different active light traps have been described and used for automated temporal sampling of nocturnal insects14. Some examples include simple falling disk-type separation devices, where the catch falls into a narrow tube with a disk falling every hour to separate the catch15, or turn-table separation devices that rotate collection bottles at timed intervals7,16,17. These previous automated light traps address the sampling challenges involved with temporal survey requirements but are often large and unwieldy and use outdated or unreliable technology. A new automated passive sampling device was recently developed and tested8. This device utilized a commercially available flight-interception trap paired with a lightweight custom-designed collection device consisting of a turn-table holding sampling cup that allows for collecting trap contents at user-defined intervals8. This new automated trap employs sophisticated programming that can be operated by a smartphone but is prohibitively expensive to build at around EURO 700 (AUD 1,000) per trap8.
Flight intercept traps are one of the most efficient ways to survey flying insects1,18,19 and work on the principle that flying insects fall to the ground when they collide with a vertical surface. Flight intercept traps come in a variety of designs. However, most are typically constructed with a transparent or mesh surface and a collecting container filled with water and/or a preservative. The new trap described here uses a cross vane/baffle type or multidirectional intercept trap20, given that cross baffles have been shown to increase capture rates14,21 and sample insects from all directions. The purpose of this trap is to survey nocturnal flying insects that are attracted to artificial lights. This phototaxis results in insects circling the light source22; hence a multidirectional trap is most suitable.
Described here is a low-cost automated intercept trap that requires no specialist equipment or skills to construct and operate. The trap uses a commercially available automated pet food dispenser and common items available from hardware stores. This design costs less than EURO 66 (AUD 105) per trap to construct (Table 1), making them a viable option for studies requiring temporal sub-sampling across multiple sites simultaneously.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Batteries (C cell) &#8211; 10 pack</td>
			<td>Duracell</td>
			<td>MN1400B10</td>
			<td>https://www.duracell.com.au/product/alkaline-c-batteries/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Battery operated automated 6 meal pet food bowl &#8211; each</td>
			<td>OEM China</td>
			<td>XR-P006-002</td>
			<td>Automated 6-meal pet food bowls range in price dependent on supplier, for example in the UK they can be purchased for &#163;19 GBP ($36 AUD).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Galvanised hex-head screws (10-16 x 16 mm) &#8211; 100 pack</td>
			<td>Bunnings Warehouse</td>
			<td>1-311-9151-CTPME</td>
			<td>Bunnings Warehouse is an Australian hardware chain with stores in Australia and New Zealand. Items purchased from Bunnings Warehouse can be found at most hardware stores. https://www.bunnings.com.au/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Galvanised steel angle bracket (125 x 150 mm) &#8211; each</td>
			<td>Bunnings Warehouse</td>
			<td>AZ11</td>
			<td>https://www.bunnings.com.au/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Galvanised tie wire (0.70 mm x 75 m) &#8211; per roll</td>
			<td>Bunnings Warehouse</td>
			<td>50218</td>
			<td>https://www.bunnings.com.au/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic basin (38 cm, 9 L round) &#8211; each</td>
			<td>Ezy Storage</td>
			<td>FBA31541</td>
			<td>https://www.ezystorage.com/product/laundry/basic-accessories/9l-round-basin/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic funnel (24 cm) &#8211; each</td>
			<td>Sandleford</td>
			<td>Pf24</td>
			<td>https://www.sandleford.com.au/plastic-funnel-24cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless steel angle bracket (20 mm) &#8211; 16 pack</td>
			<td>Bunnings Warehouse</td>
			<td>WEB2020</td>
			<td>https://www.bunnings.com.au/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless steel screws &#38; nuts (M4 x 15 mm) &#8211; 18 pack</td>
			<td>Bunnings Warehouse</td>
			<td>SFA394</td>
			<td>https://www.bunnings.com.au/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless steel washers (3/16&#8221; &#38; M5) &#8211; 50 pack</td>
			<td>Bunnings Warehouse</td>
			<td>EBM5005</td>
			<td>https://www.bunnings.com.au/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sunlite Polycarbonate roofing sheet (8mm x 610 mm x 2.4 m) &#8211; each</td>
			<td>Suntuf (Palram Industries Ltd)</td>
			<td>SL8CL2.4</td>
			<td>https://www.palram.com/au/product/sunlite-polycarbonate-multi-wall/</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Treated pine paling (150 x 12 mm) &#8211; each</td>
			<td>STS Timber Wholesale P/L</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>https://www.ststimber.com.au/sts-timber-wholesale-products/fencing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wooden stakes (1200 x 17 x 17 mm) &#8211; 10 pack</td>
			<td>Lattice Makers</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>https://latticemakers.com/product/tomato-stakes-17x17mm-pack-of-10/</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

low-cost automated flight intercept trap for the temporal sub-sampling of flying insects attracted to artificial light at night

Sampling methods are selected depending on the targeted species or the spatial and temporal requirements of the study. However, most methods for passive sampling of flying insects have a poor temporal resolution because it is time-consuming, costly and/or logistically difficult to perform. Effective sampling of flying insects attracted to artificial light at night (ALAN) requires sampling at user-defined time points (nighttime only) across well-replicated sites resulting in major time and labor-intensive survey effort or expensive automated technologies. Described here is a low-cost automated intercept trap that requires no specialist equipment or skills to construct and operate, making it a viable option for studies that require temporal sub-sampling across multiple sites. The trap can be used to address a wide range of other ecological questions that require a greater temporal and spatial scale than is feasible with previous trap technology.

The traps were trialed in a survey of flying insects attracted to experimental lighting at four bushland reserves across Melbourne, Australia. Sites consisted of either remnant or revegetated bushland surrounded by residential housing and averaged 15 km apart (range 3-24 km) and 45 ha in size (range 30-59 ha). A total of sixteen traps were installed, four at each site, with and without experimental lights (3 lights and 1 control per site), and surveyed for 3 days and 3 nights from 30 March to 2 April 2021. Installing the...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Low-Cost Automated Flight Intercept Trap for the Temporal Sub-Sampling of Flying Insects Attracted to Artificial Light at Night at JoVE.com

Low-Cost Automated Flight Intercept Trap for the Temporal Sub-Sampling of Flying Insects Attracted to Artificial Light at Night

To study the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on nocturnal flying insects, sampling needs to be confined to nighttime. The protocol describes a low-cost automated flight intercept trap that allows researchers to sample at user-defined periods with increased replication.

Sampling methods are selected depending on the targeted species or the spatial and temporal requirements of the study. However, most methods for passive ...

In the study of light pollution, you need to sample between dusk and dawn. Our low cost automated flight intercept traps enable the capture of flying insects at user defined intervals. Sampling multiple sites simultaneously can be difficult because you need to have researchers located at each site to start and stop your equipment simultaneously.This trap can be used in any ecological study on flying insects that requires greater temporal or spatial resolution, which cannot be provided efficiently by other sampling techniques. An example may be circadian or seasonal patterns of activity. No specialized skills are required to build this trap.You just need to be comfortable using simple workshop tools. Begin by cutting the polycarbonate roofing sheets with a jig saw. Then, cut an eight millimeter center groove halfway up the center of each pane.The two panes can now slide together to form a cross baffle. Slide the cross baffles snugly into the plastic funnel opening. Secure them to the funnel with 20 millimeter stainless steel angle brackets by drilling holes while the angle brackets are in place.Then use M4 screws and nuts with washers to secure the cross baffles to the funnel. Cut another piece of the polycarbonate sheeting from the remaining sheets. Drill holes and secure the piece at a 90 degree angle to the top of the cross baffles to form a protective roof using 20 millimeter stainless steel angle brackets, M4 screws, nuts and washers.Trim the funnel spout to a length of approximately 30 millimeters with a hacksaw to ensure that the sample trays of the automated pet feeder will rotate unobstructed at the programmed intervals. Place the automated pet dispenser with a nine liter and 30 millimeter diameter plastic basin to protect the samples from weather conditions. Drill a 20 millimeter hole into the top of the nine liter basin and place the funnel spout into the hole to position it directly above the sample tray.Using a drill with a hex head driver bit secure the plastic basin to a 500 millimeter piece of treated pine fence paling with galvanized hex head screws. To stabilize the entire trap for hoisting into the air via ropes, attach a wooden stake to the piece of treated pine fence paling with an angle bracket and tie wire. At the sampling location, remove the automated pet food dispenser from beneath the plastic basin.Then, open up the pet food dispenser and place foil dishes containing soapy water, or a preservative of choice, in each food tray. Set the clock time and then program each pet food dispenser tray to set the food tray rotation times by following the directions provided with the automated pet food dispenser. Place the food dispenser back underneath the plastic basin.Secure the basin to the timber fence piece with the galvanized hex head screws. Attach a rope to the top of the trap with a carabiner. Then, hoist the trap into position using a ladder and secure it beneath the experimental lights by the carabiner.Attach a second wooden stake to the tree with an angle bracket to stabilize the trap in high winds. After the trap sits on top of the stake, secure it with two long cable ties. To collect the insect samples, lower the traps with a rope, remove the automated pet food dispenser from beneath the plastic basin, then remove the lid of the pet food dispenser and lift out the aluminum trays.Finally, pour the contents of the trays into the pre-labeled sample vials. A comparison of relative capture efficiency of various flight intercept traps is shown here. In the present study, a total of 488 flying insects were captured over three sampling days at four sites.Two types of traps were examined in this study. Traps placed under lights and those without experimental lights. A total of 16 traps were installed, among which 12 were with experimental lights and four were without experimental lights.The number of trap days, which is equal to the number of traps multiplied by the number of days, is 36 for the traps with experimental lights and 12 for the traps without experimental lights. Therefore, to evaluate the efficiency of the traps, the total number of arthropods collected were divided by the effective surface area of each trap and the number of trap days on which they were operated. Traps perform similarly to other multidirectional baffle style traps under lights and without lights.Hence, the traps appear to be as effective as traditional flight intercept traps, but with the added benefit of sub-sampling at user defined time periods. Each collection tray holds approximately 330 milliliters which will accommodate most applications, but it would be beneficial to test the traps during swarming events.

Research

JoVE Journal

Environment

Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass with Low-cost Ionic Liquids

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Automated, High-resolution Mobile Collection System for the Nitrogen Isotopic Analysis of NOx

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Methodology for Developing Life Tables for Sessile Insects in the Field Using the Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in Cotton As a Model System

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A Strain Gauge Monitor (SGM) for Continuous Valve Gape Measurements in Bivalve Molluscs in Response to Laboratory Induced Diel-cycling Hypoxia and pH

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An inexpensive, laboratory-based, strain gauge valve gape monitor (SGM) was developed to monitor the valve gape behavior of bivalve molluscs in response ...

Measuring the Flight Ability of the Ambrosia Beetle, Platypus Quercivorus (Murayama), Using a Low-Cost, Small, and Easily Constructed Flight Mill

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The ambrosia beetle, Platypus quercivorus (Murayama), is the vector of a fungal pathogen that causes mass mortality of Fagaceae trees (Japanese oak wilt). ...

Harvesting Venom Toxins from Assassin Bugs and Other Heteropteran Insects

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Fabrication of Anisotropic Polymeric Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells for CD8+ T Cell Activation

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