CISEO: Enforcers References

Resource Sheets
-Plant Propogation
-Rearing Aphids
-Eyelash Brush
-Petri Dish Habitat
-Sampling Methods
-Observation Check Sheet
-Sample Rubric for Group Presentation
-One Gallon Cage
-Predators in the Environment Data Sheet
-Predation Inquiry
-Green lacewing Larval Mouthparts
-Chewing Mouthparts
-Hemipteran Mouthparts

Rearing
-Green lacewing
-Ladybird Beetle
-Big eyed Bug
-Praying Mantid
-Aphids
-Fruit Fly

Anatomy
-Green lacewing
-Ladybird Beetle
-Praying Mantid
-Big eyed Bug

Enforcers Home

CISEO Home

Predators in the Environment Data Sheet

Plant/Insect Scenarios: circle the plant/insect scenario assigned to your team.

Scenario One:          netting-enclosed plant, aphids, no predators
Scenario Two:         netting-enclosed plant, aphids, predators
Scenario Three:    open plant, outdoors, with aphids, no predators
Scenario Four:        open plant, outdoors, aphids, predators
Scenario Five:          open plant, outdoors, aphids, predators, garden insecticide

1) To prepare the investigation:

make a netting enclosure (scenarios one and two only).
transfect the plant with aphids and/or predators.
record the species and exact number of insects placed on the test plant on the Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table at "Day 1: Insect Population".

2) Set up the investigation by placing the plant in an outdoor location where it is:

receiving adequate sunlight.
near natural vegetation.
a minimum of five feet from other test plants.
undisturbed by vertebrates.

3) In the space below, draw a map of the experiment site. Show the following:

location of nearby structures.
location of other experimental plants.
existing vegetation.
geographical features.
compass points.

4) Check plants daily for the following and record information as directed on the Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table:

soil moisture.
insect population.
plant condition.
climate conditions.

Field Notes:

5) Plant/insect scenario number five only:

read all the information on the label of the insecticide container.
48 hours after setting up the investigation, put on all protective equipment recommended in the insecticide label.
apply insecticide to test plant following exact manufacturer's directions and using all suggested precautions.
clean and/or dispose of all equipment used as directed on insecticide label.
repeat at intervals suggested in the insecticide label directions.

Field Notes:

6) 10 to 14 days into the investigation:

record soil, insect, plant and climate information on the e Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table
remove the plant from outdoor environment.

Field Notes:

7) Once in the lab immediately inspect the plant for insects.

Estimate populations by order following procedures in the Population Sampling resource.
Record information in the "Tally" section of the Predators in the Environment Insect Population Results worksheet using tally marks .

8) Conduct a census of ALL the insects on and immediately around the host plant. (The procedure followed for this will depend on the type of host plant used. Refer to Population Sampling resource, part XX).

Identify insects to order, family, and species if possible.
Categorize each type of insect as plant pest, predator, or other.
Record in the "Census" section of the Predators in the Environment Insect Population Results worksheet.

9) The data recorded on the Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table represents the change in the experimental ecosystem from one day to the next during the course of the procedure.

What changes occurred in plant condition over the course of the experiment?
Did changes in plant condition correlate with the changes in insect population(s)? Explain.
Did climate conditions affect either the insect population(s) or the plant? Explain.
How did changes in insect population(s) and plant condition correlate with insecticide application (scenario five only)?

10) The data recorded on the Predators in the Environment Insect Population Results worksheet represent the final insect population(s) found on the test plant after it has been subjected to test conditions over a period of time.

Compare the final insect population(s) with the original population(s) introduced at the time of transfection (see step one of this lab). Explain the change(s), if any, in the population(s).
What effect has the surrounding ecosystem had on the population(s) of insects on the test plant?
Discuss the contribution of the ecosystem to the success (survival to reproduction) of the test plant in your scenario.

11) Use the answers to the above questions to help prepare an in-class presentation or poster paper discussing the investigation procedure, results, and your conclusions (See Briscoe 1996 or "Weather Report" resource).



Overview & Lesson Sequence Focus on Standards & Assessment Materials Needed, Preparation & Planning, Management Strategies Background Info Intro Activity Why Study Predator - Prey interactions? Activity 1 Observation of a predator-prey interaction Activity 2 What makes a predator successful? Research Project Designing a predator - prey experiment Optional Activity Biological Control vs. Pesticides Case Study Rabbits in Australia References Glossary Suppliers Resource Sheets -Plant Propogation -Rearing Aphids -Eyelash Brush -Petri Dish Habitat -Sampling Methods -Observation Check Sheet -Sample Rubric for Group Presentation -One Gallon Cage -Predators in the Environment Data Sheet -Predation Inquiry -Green lacewing Larval Mouthparts -Chewing Mouthparts -Hemipteran Mouthparts Rearing -Green lacewing -Ladybird Beetle -Big eyed Bug -Praying Mantid -Aphids -Fruit Fly Anatomy -Green lacewing -Ladybird Beetle -Praying Mantid -Big eyed Bug Enforcers Home CISEO Home		Predators in the Environment Data Sheet Plant/Insect Scenarios: circle the plant/insect scenario assigned to your team. Scenario One: netting-enclosed plant, aphids, no predators Scenario Two: netting-enclosed plant, aphids, predators Scenario Three: open plant, outdoors, with aphids, no predators Scenario Four: open plant, outdoors, aphids, predators Scenario Five: open plant, outdoors, aphids, predators, garden insecticide 1) To prepare the investigation: make a netting enclosure (scenarios one and two only). transfect the plant with aphids and/or predators. record the species and exact number of insects placed on the test plant on the Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table at "Day 1: Insect Population". 2) Set up the investigation by placing the plant in an outdoor location where it is: receiving adequate sunlight. near natural vegetation. a minimum of five feet from other test plants. undisturbed by vertebrates. 3) In the space below, draw a map of the experiment site. Show the following: location of nearby structures. location of other experimental plants. existing vegetation. geographical features. compass points. 4) Check plants daily for the following and record information as directed on the Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table: soil moisture. insect population. plant condition. climate conditions. Field Notes: 5) Plant/insect scenario number five only: read all the information on the label of the insecticide container. 48 hours after setting up the investigation, put on all protective equipment recommended in the insecticide label. apply insecticide to test plant following exact manufacturer's directions and using all suggested precautions. clean and/or dispose of all equipment used as directed on insecticide label. repeat at intervals suggested in the insecticide label directions. Field Notes: 6) 10 to 14 days into the investigation: record soil, insect, plant and climate information on the e Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table remove the plant from outdoor environment. Field Notes: 7) Once in the lab immediately inspect the plant for insects. Estimate populations by order following procedures in the Population Sampling resource. Record information in the "Tally" section of the Predators in the Environment Insect Population Results worksheet using tally marks . 8) Conduct a census of ALL the insects on and immediately around the host plant. (The procedure followed for this will depend on the type of host plant used. Refer to Population Sampling resource, part XX). Identify insects to order, family, and species if possible. Categorize each type of insect as plant pest, predator, or other. Record in the "Census" section of the Predators in the Environment Insect Population Results worksheet. 9) The data recorded on the Predators in the Environment Data Collection Table represents the change in the experimental ecosystem from one day to the next during the course of the procedure. What changes occurred in plant condition over the course of the experiment? Did changes in plant condition correlate with the changes in insect population(s)? Explain. Did climate conditions affect either the insect population(s) or the plant? Explain. How did changes in insect population(s) and plant condition correlate with insecticide application (scenario five only)? 10) The data recorded on the Predators in the Environment Insect Population Results worksheet represent the final insect population(s) found on the test plant after it has been subjected to test conditions over a period of time. Compare the final insect population(s) with the original population(s) introduced at the time of transfection (see step one of this lab). Explain the change(s), if any, in the population(s). What effect has the surrounding ecosystem had on the population(s) of insects on the test plant? Discuss the contribution of the ecosystem to the success (survival to reproduction) of the test plant in your scenario. 11) Use the answers to the above questions to help prepare an in-class presentation or poster paper discussing the investigation procedure, results, and your conclusions (See Briscoe 1996 or "Weather Report" resource).
		Center for Insect Science Education Outreach http://insected.arizona.edu All contents copyright © 2001. All rights reserved.