Arthropods at Lights Observation

Arthropods at Lights Observation (20 points) + Bonus (2 points for a photo)

Many insects that are active at night are strongly attracted to electric lights.  The main explanation of being attracted to these lights is the use of the moon in antiquity to navigate.  Lights on earth are both brighter and closer leading to insects being attracted.

A great way to collect and observe insects that are active at night is to visit electric lights or even turn on the porch light.  Your job is to visit a light between 9:00 PM and 12:00 midnight.  You can go to a gas station, visit a street light, go to Walmart or turn on your own porch light.  Spend 15 minutes at the light, observe insect activity, and record data in a table similar to the one below.

As you watch the insects, note what kinds of insects you observe (beetles, crickets, moths, others)?  What were the insects doing (walking, flying, resting)?  Did you observe any insects on their backs that were still alive?  Did they look like they were in trouble?  Was there any evidence of insects dying at the light (squished, insect parts from being eaten)?

Fill in this table:

Date      Time (start-end)               Location: Street address

Observations:                    Number               Behavior/s          Notes

Beetles

Moths

Crickets

Others

• If no insects at the light, note the kind of light and then look at a different kind of light. Try this a minimum of three times so that you can answer the questions.

Write an essay describing your experience.  In the essay, include notes about the types of insects you observed.  Can you identify their orders (if so what characteristics are you using)?  What orders were not observed?  How do you think the biology of the insects affects whether or not they come to the light?

Now think about the broad scale implications of your observations.  Do electric lights at night have a significant impact on insect populations?  Should this impact be considered when placing lights?  What do you think happens to the insects that are attracted to the lights?

Bonus.  Take a picture of some of the insects at the light and include it at the end of your essay.

Your essay should be 1.5- 2 pages, insert the table, and the picture for extra credit on page 3 (total limit of 3 pages).  Include any references that you looked at as you considered this project and your findings.

Assignment due Friday, September 21 by 5:00 PM.

Assignment will be graded on:

Description of insects and behaviors       Type of insect described in enough detail to determine order. Multiple insects observed.  Behaviors noted.        Description not detailed enough. Behaviors described   Information lacking on the insects and behaviors.     Descriptions brief, insects not described.              TOTAL

 

6              5              3              1

Interpretation of the data            The observations are interpreted correctly.  Differences among insect orders noted.                 Descriptions lack detail and the author does not interpret results correctly.          Description lacks details but interpretation correct.   Description lacks details and interpretation incorrect.

6              5              3              1

Implications of results    Author considers meaning of their results to a larger area (city, state, or nation). Includes references.        Author considers implications of results but does not include references.             Author is brief but does include references               Author is brief and includes no references

4              3              2              1

Report quality   Report is well arranged and has no errors in typing or logic.          Report is well arranged but has typographical errors or gaps in logic.        Report is not well-arranged and has typos.          Report has many errors in writing and is difficult to follow.

4              3              2              1

4              3              2              1

Picture included               (+2)