I need a standard method to qualitatively assess, by inspection, the number of ants seen under artificial cover objects (plywood) when examined on a weekly basis. This would seem most likely via a classed, group system (e.g., no ants seen: Class 1; approximately 1-100 ants, Class 2; approximately 101-500 ants, Class 3; more than 500 ants, Class 4). However, I have yet to locate any publications that have done anything similar to this. (In this project, it is important that the ants are otherwise undisturbed, thus, no pitfalls, etc.)
Hello Gregory; I've tried to train my eye to do that...in pitfall sample trays. My question was "How accurately can I estimate the number of ants in the tray?" I'd note my estimate and then count them. If the actual number was under about 100, I eventually could get to within about 10 of the actual. With large numbers, say around 1000, I was pretty inaccurate...to within about 200.
You'll have to train your eye and validate that training to the standard required by the study. I have not seen any published evaluation of this trick. My specimens were still and suspended in water above a light-colored background. Your's will be moving against a litter background. I imagine that that's much harder. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers
A similar challenge is with honey bees on combs or samples. I've done it with a small battery-powered scale with a count function: (calibrate it for 10 or 50, then weigh an unknown group and the scale gives a count). There are newer photographic methods now to do the same: an app that gives a count from a smartphone photo.
hi,
kindly refer this link:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2020.579193/full
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