We found in our recent study (in prep.) an indication that the daylight's brightness suppresses activity of a nocturnal/crepuscular insect, not any other environmental factor. In other words, the period of inactivity matches exactly the peak of brightness, while peaks of temperature/humidity and wind speed don't match as nicely.
Are there any existing studies that we can cite to support this assertion? It's not central to our research question, but would be useful to elaborate. The only references I could find deal with seasonal patterns of activity entrained by daylight duration on longer time scales. But what about diel patterns of activity? Any pointer would be much appreciated.
Environmental factors of course affect insect activity, my work was in flight, very difficult to measure, or reproduce, "brightness" as what? What type of radiation is unique to interaction with "activity". Reproduction is a very difficult factor to relate!
Since this wasn't the central question of our study, the results we got are indirect and not to be considered definitive by any stretch. These were field trials and the measurements were taken by a weather station and included temperature, humidity, wind speed and brightness (i.e. sunlight intensity in cd/m2). The latter was simply the only one to fit.
This is why I would like to be able to support the idea by citing a study that actually proved this association, if it exists.
"Brightness" is not an identifiable measurable factor that can be studied. Thus the basis of much work of yesteryear. I know of no work per se.
OK, we shall be extra careful with phrasing, then, thank you for your comment. I do wonder how is "day length" defined then for the purpose of associating with seasonal activity, if reproduction is such a problem.
I with my team were the first in Malaysia to touch field of acoustic insects. For us it was a big challenge as no body had any experience on it. Even equipment, we heard first time as we had no back ground in Physics or Engineering.
But successfully after long time we have recorded vibration signals with laser vibrometer of brown planthopper which is major insect pest of rice in Asia.
Before recording, we did some preliminary experiments without laser recording in which different age pairings were selected to observe the best age for mating behavior. Similarly, best time, temperature, food source, temporal effect and wind effect was observed. Because in our consideration, these factors could make variation while recording vibration songs.
After covering all these aspects, we finally did the recording and we got excellent results.
Now, we are looking for to exploit these signals either by synthetic sound sine waves produce in any software or by playing back their rival signals.
I think i have found the right person on this plateform to guide and help me in this regard
Dr. J. Polanjar may i request you to help us further in our research project.
Dear Dr. Mushtaq, I am interested in your project and I can probably give you some pointers if you send me the details, but it is probably best to move this discussion to private mail. Please contact me through the ResearchGate messaging and I will give you my work e-mail address.
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