WK4: Field sample training with animals

Methods: This experiment took place on September 29, 2015 from 3:00-5:00 pm. To execute this experiment, we began by selecting sampling area in both the woodlot and the grasslands on York's campus. Once selecting a sufficient spot, we took 3 bowls of each colour (yellow, white, and blue) and placed them in the woodlot. We then took the other three of each colour and placed them the same way in the grasslands. We decided to use the unmowed section of the grassland instead of the mowed section. Once all of the bowls were placed, we filled them about a quarter of the way to the top with soapy water. The soap in the water was used to reduce surface tension so that the species that landed on the water would not be able to float, but rather they would sink to the bottom and drown. Although snails and spiders are not insects, we decided to count them as a part of our protocol for this experiment. Placing the bowls on the ground in both the woodlot and the unmowed grassland was done in a strategic manner. We used yellow, white, and blue bowls to imitate the colours of flowers in order to aid in attracting pollinators. We decided to place the bowls in a 3x3 formation, with a meter's distance between each bowl. The pattern of the bowl placement was as follows: white, blue, yellow. This was done three times to get the desired 3x3 formation in both the woodlot and grasslands. The bowls were left on the ground for about 2 hours while other experiments were executed. At the end of this time, we went back to the bowls and took note of what insects they had collected.