GALA – Result Table and R Script

Field experiments are key to fully understanding insect behavior because they represent a more natural scenario than lab conditions. However, field experiments are often challenging or even impossible because of harsh field conditions, complexity, and costs. Here we introduce GALA (GAzebo LAtino) – a low-budget, user-friendly, and portable device to record high-quality behavioral videos in challenging weather. We tested GALA by recording videos of ant species attracted to protein baits in two configurations, with and without GALA. In both conditions, we visually compared video quality by assessing factors such as over-exposition, shadowing, reflections, and blurring. We also examined the advantage of using GALA in harsh weather by recording ants foraging for protein baits in the Patagonian steppe, a region characterized by strong winds and high variation in sunlight, temperature, and humidity. The use of GALA significantly increased the video quality, correcting over-exposition, shadowing, reflections, and blurring. GALA effectively minimized environmental noise by blocking wind speed, adjusting illumination to optimal recording levels, and reducing fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Moreover, GALA boasts several additional strengths—it is straightforward to assemble and transport, and its materials are affordable (US$ 68). Apart from ant species, GALA is suitable for recording the behavior of other terrestrial arthropods and even small mammals and reptiles. The use of low-budget, user-friendly, and portable devices such as GALA allows us to bring the lab to the field, enhancing our understanding of animal behavior in the wild.

田间试验是全面解析昆虫行为的核心手段，因其相较于实验室环境，更贴近昆虫生存的自然情境。然而，野外环境严苛、实验流程复杂且成本高昂，使得田间试验往往难以开展，甚至无法实施。本研究介绍GALA（GAzebo LAtino）——一款低成本、易操作且便携的设备，可在严苛天气条件下录制高质量的行为视频。我们通过两种配置（使用GALA与不使用GALA）录制了被蛋白质诱饵吸引的蚂蚁种群的视频，以此对GALA进行测试。在两种实验条件下，我们通过评估过曝、阴影、反光与模糊等因素，从视觉层面对比了视频质量。此外，我们在巴塔哥尼亚草原——一个以强风、光照、温度与湿度波动剧烈为特征的区域——录制了蚂蚁觅食蛋白质诱饵的视频，以此验证GALA在严苛天气下的性能优势。使用GALA可显著提升视频质量，有效校正过曝、阴影、反光与模糊问题。GALA通过阻挡风力、将光照调节至最佳录制水平，以及降低温湿度波动，有效抑制了环境噪声。此外，GALA还具备多项额外优势：组装与运输简便快捷，且耗材成本低廉（68美元）。除蚂蚁种群外，GALA还可用于记录其他陆生节肢动物，乃至小型哺乳动物与爬行动物的行为。借助GALA这类低成本、易操作且便携的设备，我们得以将实验室研究迁移至野外场景，从而深化对野生动物行为的认知。