Week 4 Lab: Pan-Trap Dataset

The pan-trap dataset was collected at York University’s grasslands and woodlot. First, in the woodlot, 6 pans were positioned in a linear fashion with approximtely 1m distance between between them. The distance was estimated, not precise. The pans were arranged in an alternating pattern of blue, white and yellow. Specifically, the pans were placed near a shaded area, such as beside a log and near tree trunks. When the pans were set up, it was 3:00pm in the afternoon and it was raining. The weather reduced our chances of capturing insects as many of them were not flying around and were seeking shelter instread. After the pans were poisitioned, they were filled in half-way with soapy water. The soapy water would make is easy for an insect to be trapped. Additionally, in the unmowed grasslands, 6 more pans were arranged linearly from one another, with 1m distance between them. The pans were also arranged in an alternating pattern of blue, white and yellow pan and they were placed close to the edge of the grasslands. The pans were also filled in half-way with soapy water to trap any insects. Then, at approximately 4:00pm, the pans in the grasslands were checked to see if they had trapped any insects. The number of insects in each pan were counted and the observations were recorded. Each insect’s name and taxonomic order was also defined using the insect key in the lab manual. After the pans in the grasslands were examined, the pans in the woodlot were checked next. The number of organisms in each pan were counted and their names and taxonomic orders were also recorded. Once the pans were checked, they were then emptied out of the soapy water and collected.

本色盘诱捕数据集（pan-trap dataset）采集自约克大学的草原与林地。首先在林地内，以线性方式布设6个诱捕盘，盘间间距约1米，该间距仅为估算值，未做精确测量。诱捕盘按蓝、白、黄三色交替的模式排布，具体放置于阴凉区域附近，如原木旁及树干周边。布设完成时为当日下午3时，当时正下着雨——阴雨天气导致昆虫活跃度大幅下降，多数昆虫不再飞行而是寻找遮蔽场所，因此降低了昆虫捕获成功率。诱捕盘布设完成后，向每个盘内注入半量的肥皂水，肥皂水可降低昆虫体表的表面张力，使其更容易被捕获。此外，在未刈割草原区域，同样以线性方式布设6个诱捕盘，盘间间距同样为1米，且采用蓝、白、黄三色交替的排布模式，放置于草原边缘附近。同样向每个诱捕盘内注入半量肥皂水以捕获昆虫。随后约在下午4时，先对草原区域的诱捕盘进行检查，统计每个诱捕盘中捕获的昆虫数量并记录观测结果；同时依据实验室手册中的昆虫检索表（insect key），对每一种昆虫的名称及分类阶元（taxonomic order）进行鉴定与记录。完成草原区域诱捕盘的检查后，随即对林地中的诱捕盘开展检查工作，统计其中的生物数量并记录其名称与分类阶元。检查完成后，将各诱捕盘中的肥皂水排空并回收。