Journal of Economic Entomology (2009) 102, 1393-1395

J. Chen (2009)
Automatic system for continuously monitoring digging volume of red imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the laboratory
Journal of Economic Entomology 102 (3), 1393-1395
Abstract: In studying the dynamics of ant nest excavation, the nest volume has to be continuously monitored. In many laboratory studies, the excavated substrate, such as sand, was collected, and the volume of excavation was calculated by converting the weight of the collected sand into the volume. The excavated sand can be manually collected and weighed; however, manual collection is tedious, particularly when frequent collections have to be performed for a period of several days. Manual collection may also introduce disturbance to the ants. The volume of excavation can also be monitored using a video system by transferring images into volume data. Unfortunately, it requires sophisticated software customization. A simple automatic system for continuously collecting and weighing the excavated sand is described. This system does not disturb the ants while collecting data and requires no software customization. It can display the digging curves while it is still collecting data.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jian Chen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Solenopsis invicta