Introductory remarks: Toys of the trade

Authors: Lee, Jana

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/28/2018
Publication Date: 4/3/2019
Citation: Lee, J.C. 2019. Introductory remarks: Toys of the trade. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 112(3):180-181. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/say052.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/say052

Interpretive Summary: Many of us were drawn to Entomology by our fascination with insects. Fortunately, we have found a career where we continue to play, and where our playing benefits humans, agriculture and the environment. During our studies, we wanted to know how arthropods move and feed, and encountered and developed various toys (tools) to answer these questions. Fellow researchers ask similar questions, but may be uncertain how to start or about dedicating the time and resources on new tools. So, in 2017 at the Entomological Society of America meeting, we held a symposium to highlight various tools available to researchers. Given that 15 minutes is not much time, the speakers have graciously written review articles to assist new users. Each review is briefly described for what the tool can do, deciding on tools, and logistics of getting started.

Technical Abstract: Many of us were drawn to Entomology by our fascination with arthropods. Fortunately, we have found a vocation where we continue to play, and where playing is useful in improving human health, agricultural and environmental sustainability. During our studies, we wanted to know how arthropods aggregate, disperse, feed or fly, and encountered and developed various toys (tools) to answer these questions. Fellow researchers ask similar questions, but may be uncertain how to start or about dedicating the time and resources on new tools. Therefore, in November 2017 at the Entomological Society of America meeting in Denver, Colorado, we held a symposium to highlight various tools available to researchers. For a researcher interested in examining arthropod movement across a landscape, marking the organism with protein either directly or indirectly by spraying the insect’s habitat enables one to determine where insects have moved from. If the arthropod needs to be watched for presence/absence and movement patterns, computer vision systems will track insect movement in a lab arena, in a cage, or in flight. A researcher may want to study flight under more controlled environments, and flight mills enable flight comparisons among various treatments and abiotic conditions. Marking a food item allows researchers to study various types of feeding: predation, herbivory, nectivory, scavenging, and cannibalism. Monitoring the energetic levels of arthropods enables researchers to understand diet quality, whether habitat manipulation programs have increased sugar feeding among natural enemies, and the relationship between behaviors and energy requirements. Detailed studies on oviposition and feeding behavior like whether the insect is ingesting fluid and the duration spent in certain feeding/ovipositing behaviors are possible with Electropennetrography (EPG).