Abundance and #RTU’s of Insects Captured in Sweep Net along a 20 Meter Length in Grassland Area

The objective of this lab was to determine the total number of insects and number of different species (#RTU’s) caught along a specified area by using a sweep net. Methods: A transect was laid in a grassland region, measuring a total distance of 20 meters. A sweep net was used to catch any insects along the transect line. The experimenter walked at slow to normal pace along the 20 meter line, vigorously moving the sweep net back and forth in a horizontal “8” formation at stomach-chest height. At the end of the 20 meter walk, the net was quickly held shut to prevent any insects from escaping. While still holding the net shut, the total number of individuals caught was counted and recorded. The number of individuals were grouped into number of different species (#RTU’s) and recorded. When all the needed data was collected, the caught species were allowed to escape. At the beginning of each new trial, the transect was placed into a new, undisturbed location. This was done to ensure that the experimenter’s activity from the previous trial did not interfere with the new trial’s results. This entire process was performed for a total of 10 times (n=10). All the data collected was recorded in a chart. The experiment was conducted by Hannan Fayyaz, Gopaul Parbatie, Albert Lin and Gajamugan Rajavarothayan on Thursday Obtober 1st-2015 during the lab hours of 2:30pm-5:30pm on a grassland region located on Keele Campus of York University. The temperature during the experiment was observed to be 15oC. The tools used to conduct the experiment were a 20 meter long transect and a sweep net.

本实验的目的为使用扫网（sweep net）采集特定区域内的昆虫，统计所捕获昆虫的总个体数及不同物种（#RTU’s）的数量。实验方法：在一片草地样区内设置一条总长20米的样带（transect）。实验者沿该样带使用扫网采集沿途昆虫，以慢速至常速行进，同时在胸腹部高度以水平"8"字形大幅往复挥动扫网。行进至20米样带终点时，迅速封死扫网袋口以防止昆虫逃逸。保持网口封闭状态下，统计并记录捕获昆虫的总个体数，随后按不同物种（#RTU’s）对个体进行归类并记录各物种种群规模。完成全部所需数据采集后，将捕获的昆虫全部放生。每次开展新的重复实验前，均将样带设置于全新且未受干扰的区域，以此避免前一次实验的操作对后续实验结果造成干扰。整个实验流程共计重复10次（n=10），所有采集得到的数据均记录于表格中。本实验由Hannan Fayyaz、Gopaul Parbatie、Albert Lin及Gajamugan Rajavarothayan于2015年10月1日（周四）下午2:30至5:30的实验时段内，在约克大学（York University）基尔校区（Keele Campus）的一片草地样区内开展。实验期间观测到的环境温度为15摄氏度。本实验所使用的工具为20米长样带及扫网。