Bugs in the bathrooms of Peabody Lab Packet

This topic submitted by Michael Frederick, Amy Heeter, Ashley Gratz-Collier, Patrick Boothe, Doug Mazeffa (fredermg@muohio.edu) at 8:03 PM on 10/16/02. Additions were last made on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Section: Nicholson

Natural Systems 1 Fall, 2002 -Western Program-Miami University

Amy Heeter
Michael Frederick
Patrick Boothe
Ashley Gratz-Collier
Doug Mazeffa

1. Introduction
a. Our group is going to study the insect populations that are present in the bathrooms of Peabody Hall in Oxford, Ohio.
Hypothesis: We hypothesize that there will be a higher population of moths in the bathrooms than any other species. Also, we believe a higher population of insect species will be discovered in the men's bathrooms as opposed to the women's bathrooms due to levels of cleanliness and presence of bodily waste.
Research Question: What are the characteristics and general observations of the insect populations of Peabody Hall bathrooms?
Predictions: We predict that will we discover more insects near windows. Also, we believe that we will discover spiders along the upper walls and the corners of the ceilings. We feel that we will find ladybugs and moths in more of an abundance rather than other species of insects.
b. We plan to obtain a better understanding of household insects, and reasons why these insects are present in the bathroom. Additionally, we hope to learn better data collecting techniques.
c. This research question is interesting to us because it deals with this group's every day life. We wanted to learn about these insect species present in our bathrooms, and find ways to be more comfortable.

2. Revelance of Your Research Question
We found many different articles and online sources that provided information about incest species, and common household insects. So far we have found 12 articles from journals and 3 sources from the Internet, these are a few examples of our research:

Literature Review-
Leebens-Mack, Jim, Olle, Pellmyr and Brock,Marcus. "Host Specificity and
the Genetic Structure of Two Yucca Moth Species in a Yucca Hybrid Zone" Evolution, Vol. 52, No. 5. (Oct., 1998), pp. 1376-1382. This article examines how host specialization is an important part of diversification among insects and how they are closely related to their hosts.

Steward, R. C. "Melanism and Selective Predation in three Species of
Moths" Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 46, No. 2. (Jun., 1977), pp. 483-496. This article demonstrates the predatory habitats that species have birds have on three different species of moths

Pettersson, M. W. "Pollination by a Guild of Fluctuating Moth Populations:
Option for Unspecialization in Silene Vulgaris" Journal of Ecology, Vol. 79, No. 3. (Sep., 1991), pp. 591-604. This article examines the pollinating effieciency of moths during four seasons.

Holcomb, Robert W. "Insect Control: Alternatives to the Use of
Conventional Pesticides"Science, New Series, Vol. 168, No. 3930. (Apr. 24, 1970), pp. 456-458. This article provides information regarding the alternatives to pesticides for insect control.

Smith, Roger H. and Borstel, R. C. von. "Genetic Control of Insect
Populations" Science, New Series, Vol. 178, No. 4066. (Dec. 15, 1972), pp. 1164-1174. This article explores genetic methods for the regulation of pest populations.

Townsend, Charles H. T. "Methods of Environment Work for Indicating
Insect-Control Measures" Ecology, Vol. 7, No. 3. (Jul., 1926), pp. 326-337. This article reviews the different factors and solutions for pest population management.

Sherman, Paul W., Alexander, Richard D., Djerassi, Carl, Shih-Coleman,
Christina and Diekman, John. "Insect Control" Science, New Series, Vol. 188, No. 4185. (Apr. 18, 1975), p. 206+208.This is a response to Djerassi, Shih-Coleman, and Diekman's article about insect control. This article emphasizes the method of biological control.

Bailey, Stephanie. "Ladybugs". University of Kentucky College of
Agriculture. Sept. 22, 2002 /fldcrops/ef105.htm>. This website provides general information about the ladybug.

"Moths of Ohio". Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. Sept. 22,
2002. moths/oh/toc.htm>. This website provides a picture collection of moth species that are found in Ohio.

Doherty, John and Hoy, Ronald. "The Auditory Behavior of Crickets: Some
Views of Genetic Coupling, Song Recognition, and Predator Detection" Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 60, No. 4. (Dec., 1985), pp. 457-472. This article discusses the auditory means of crickets, such as acoustical signals.

1. Johnson, Charles W. "Some Common Insects of the Household"

Scientific Monthly, Vol. 27, No. 4. (Oct., 1928), pp. 343-346. This articles explains the differences between some common insects found inside the home. Also, the author explains that the usual explanation for household insects is the cleanliness of the home itself or the carelessness of the home owner.
2.Perry, J. N. and Wall, C. "A Mathematical Model for the Flight of Pea Moth to Pheromone Traps Through a Crop" Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, Vol. 306, No. 1125. (May 10, 1984), pp. 19-48. This article presents a mathematical model that describes the average resultant track of a population of the male pea moth, flying through a field crop to a pheromone trap.
3.Djerassi, Carl, Shih-Coleman, Christina and Diekman, John. "Insect Control of the Future: Operational and Policy Aspects" Science, New Series, Vol. 186, No. 4164. (Nov. 15, 1974), pp. 596-607. This article deals with the conflicts that rise between insect and human populations. It gives information regarding insect control.

3. Materials and Methods
a. Our experimental design is to set sticky traps in selected areas of the Peabody Hall bathrooms, collect and study the insect that were trapped, and study the data that the sticky trap gives to us. This is statistically sound because we have "hard" data to collect and insects are present to collect in the bathroom.
b. The most important material that we will be using is the sticky traps that we will use to collect the data.
c. Other methods of collecting data will include: checking the sticky traps at least 3 times per day, and writing observational notes about the data collected. To encourage class participation we will design interactive questions and present our ideas with excitement.
Data Sheet
Types of Bugs:
Type: Trap 1 Trap 2 Trap 3 Trap 4 Total
1. Ladybug
2. Cricket
3.Grasshopper
4.Fly
5.Mosquito
6.Gnats
7.Dung Beetle
8.Cockroack
9.Japenese Beetle
10.Spider
11. Ants
12. Daddy Long Legs
13. Water Bugs
14. Mice

Timeline:
Week 1: Set out the sticky traps and note their locations.
Week 2: Record number and types of bugs. We will then chart our results in a histogram.
Week 3: Record number and types of bugs. We will then chart our results in a histogram. We will also replace the traps at this point.
Week 4: Record number and types of bugs. We will then chart our results in a histogram. We will compare our data to week 2.
Week 5: Record number and types of bugs. We will then chart our results in a histogram. We will then compare our data to week 3. We will also remove the traps at this point.
Week 6: We will compile our results and graph them on Stat-View.
Week 7: Analysis and writing of the report.
Week 8: Writing of the report.
Week 9: Writing of the report.
Week 10: Final report is due.

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