Use of body-mounted cameras to enhance data collection: an evaluation of two arthropod sampling techniques

Authors: Hagler, James; Thompson, Alison; Noble, Melissa; Machtley, Scott

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2018
Publication Date: 4/23/2018
Citation: Hagler, J.R., Thompson, A.L., Stefanek, M.A., Machtley, S.A. 2018. Use of body-mounted cameras to enhance data collection: an evaluation of two arthropod sampling techniques. Journal of Insect Science. 18(2):1-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iey033

Interpretive Summary: Scientists in the Pest Management and Biological Control Unit and in the Plant Physiology and Genetics Research Unit at Maricopa, AZ collaborated on a study that compared the effectiveness of a sweepnet versus a vacuum suction device for collecting arthropods in cotton. The study differs from previous research in that body-mounted action cameras (B-MAC) were used to record the activity of the person conducting the collections. The videos, when used in conjunction with behavioral event recording software, proved ideal for quantifying various aspects of the sampling process. The sampler’s speed and the number of sweeps or vacuum suctions taken over a fixed distance of the cotton row were two of the more significant sampling characteristics quantified for each method. Results showed that vacuuming was the most productive method for collecting arthropods in the relatively small cotton research plots. However, data indicate that the sweepnet method would be as productive for collecting many of the cotton-dwelling arthropod species if the sampler could continuously sweep for at least one minute or = 80-m (e.g., in larger research plots). The B-MACs are inexpensive and non-cumbersome, the video images generated are outstanding, and the videos can be archived to provide permanent documentation of a research project. The methods described here could be useful for other types of field-based research to enhance data collection efficiency.

Technical Abstract: A study was conducted that compared the effectiveness of a sweepnet versus a vacuum suction device for collecting arthropods in cotton. The study differs from previous research in that body-mounted action cameras (B-MACs) were used to record the activity of the person conducting the collections. The videos produced by the B-MACs were then analyzed with behavioral event recording software to quantify various aspects of the sampling process. The sampler’s speed and the number of sampling sweeps or vacuum suctions taken over a fixed distance (12.2-m) of cotton were two of the more significant sampling characteristics quantified for each method. The arthropod counts obtained, combined with the analyses of the videos, enabled us to estimate arthropod sampling efficiency for each technique based on fixed distance, time, and sample unit measurements. Data revealed that the vacuuming was the most precise method for collecting arthropods in the relatively small cotton research plots. However, data also indicates that the sweepnet method would be more efficient for collecting most of the cotton-dwelling arthropod taxa, especially if the sampler could continuously sweep for at least one minute or = 80-m (e.g., in larger research plots). The B-MACs are inexpensive and non-cumbersome, the video images generated are outstanding, and they can be archived to provide permanent documentation of a research project. The methods described here could be useful for other types of field-based research to enhance data collection efficiency.