Lab 3: Pan trap dataset - Sampling the abundance and recognizable taxonomic units (RTU) of insects using the Pan trap transect method in the Danby woodlot and grassland at York University (Keele Campus)

The purpose of this study was to observe and compare the abundance and recognizable taxonomic units of insects in the Danby woodlot and grassland at York University on October 1st, 2015. For the duration of the study period (2:50pm to 4:30pm), the weather was mostly sunny with a cool temperature of 14°C and wind speed of 14 MPH. This study was conducted by Saraswatie (Davi), Bava, Eman and Azeb. The data was collected by linearly placing plastic bowls half filled with soapy water at 1m intervals on a 9m line transect in two study sites, the Danby woodlot and grassland. The bowl/pan traps were left undisturbed for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to allow the trap to attract and capture insects. The abundance and recognizable taxonomic units (RTU), also known as the species richness were recorded as observational data at each site for each bowl. the species were visually identified based on simple and basic recognizable features utilizing background information and common sense of what common species of insects are active in this environment and during this time of the year. The purpose of this lab was to compare the abundance and species richness of insects in two different environments.