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Insect Visitation Rates

Insect Visitation Rates. By Mr. M. Choosing a Flower. I chose two asters, one white and one purple. The Independent (experimental) Variable. The difference I focused on was flower COLOR Purple vs. White Question: Will more insects visit purple asters, or white asters?

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Insect Visitation Rates

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  1. Insect Visitation Rates By Mr. M

  2. Choosing a Flower • I chose two asters, one white and one purple.

  3. The Independent (experimental) Variable • The difference I focused on was flower COLOR • Purple vs. White • Question: Will more insects visit purple asters, or white asters? • This is the variable you’re changing or manipulating for the experiment

  4. Dependent Variable • Number of insect visitors • Total number • Number of different kinds • What you measure in the experiment • For me a visit counted if the insect landed on the flower (repeats to same flower didn’t count)

  5. Prediction • What little I noticed in walking around the ELC to find the flowers hinted at Purple Asters having more visitors. • Possible Hypotheses: 1. Purple asters will have more insect visitors that white asters. 2. White asters will have more insect visitors than purple asters. 3. There will be no difference in the number of insect visitors between purple and white asters.

  6. Simple Procedure • I located various clusters of white and purple asters around the ELC. • I spent approximately 10 minutes observing purple aster clusters, then another 10 minutes observing whiter aster clusters. • I noted any insects on the flowers, and each time an insect landed on the flower (even if they repeated visits).

  7. Procedure Continued… • I noted the total number of insect visitors on a data table. • I tried to record different types of insect visitors as well.

  8. Dependent Variable; # of Insects

  9. Other Data

  10. Other Variables to Consider • Flower Cluster Height • Sun vs. Shade • How to define a visit (same for both) • Time of Observation • Weather 1 day to the next • Odor (didn’t check to see) • Stage of blossoming

  11. Data Analysis • Data seems to indicate that more insects are visiting purple aster flowers than white asters. • Purple asters also seem to have a greater diversity of insects • Top prediction supported by my data

  12. What Next? • How reliable is my data? • I have a small sample size and one trial of the experiment. So, REPEAT, REPEAT….. • It might be worth investigating if the two flowers have differing smells, and what role that might play in attracting insects.

  13. Final Write-up: what to include • Variable being tested; ID independent and dependent • Focus Question, trying to answer • Possible Hypotheses-more than 1 • Procedure- numbered steps of what you did, including morphological description of flowers you studied • Include variables you needed to control for (ex. even time of observation at each site) • Display of Data on Table • Conclusion- Which hypothesis is supported best by your data (refer to your data to support your conclusion • Critique of study- possible flaws in your design or problems encountered during study (What could be done to improve study?)

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