Ant Picnic
Ant Picnic
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Ant picnic Data is collected to determine the local species of ants in your community, and the food sources they prefer.
Ant picnic Data is collected to determine the local species of ants in your community, and the food sources they prefer.
Goals of Ant Picnic Research:
Goals of Ant Picnic Research:
- Track which ant species live where on Earth.
With people moving around the world, some ants accidentally hitch a ride to new locations!
- Provide data about the diet preferences of various ant species.
People don't eat the same foods they did even 100 years ago. Will ants eat all these new processed foods too?
- Determine how global issues like climate change affects an ant's ability to consume various foods.
Why should you care?
Why should you care?
Ants are Essential!
Ants are Essential!
Ants play a critical role in every ecosystem they live in.
Ants play a critical role in every ecosystem they live in.
~Decompose organic waste and carrion
~Decompose organic waste and carrion
~Clean up the mess we make on Earth!
~Promote healthy soil
~Promote healthy soil
~Make it so we can grow food to eat!
~Serve has a food source for many larger animals
~Serve has a food source for many larger animals
And so much more!
And so much more!
Did you know?
Did you know?
Scientists estimate there are at least 1.5 million ants on the planet for EACH human being. That's about 10 pounds of ants!
Scientists estimate there are at least 1.5 million ants on the planet for EACH human being. That's about 10 pounds of ants!
Who Runs Ant Picnic?
Who Runs Ant Picnic?
Meet Dr. Magdalena Sorger of North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh has been studying ants for many years.
Meet Dr. Magdalena Sorger of North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh has been studying ants for many years.
She uses data from Ant Picnic as a vital source of information for all different species of ants and has published many works in her field.
She uses data from Ant Picnic as a vital source of information for all different species of ants and has published many works in her field.
How Do I Participate?
How Do I Participate?
Students will create specific food cards and place them in various areas. Photographs and ant counts will be taken for each food source.
Students will create specific food cards and place them in various areas. Photographs and ant counts will be taken for each food source.
This project allows you to collect data whenever you want, but the method requires some preparation!
This project allows you to collect data whenever you want, but the method requires some preparation!
The scientists at the Rob Dunn Lab have the exact protocol on how the baits should be made and laid out. More details on the steps can be found here.
The scientists at the Rob Dunn Lab have the exact protocol on how the baits should be made and laid out. More details on the steps can be found here.
Note:
Note:
You may need to handle (hold/touch) the ants if there are too many to count by placing them in a cooler for a few minutes. The goal is to chill the ants so they temporarily stop moving, not to kill them.
You may need to handle (hold/touch) the ants if there are too many to count by placing them in a cooler for a few minutes. The goal is to chill the ants so they temporarily stop moving, not to kill them.
Ant Bait:
Ant Bait:
Be sure to only use these foods!
Be sure to only use these foods!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Amino Acids: Pure L-Glutamine powder in solution (20% solution)
Amino Acids: Pure L-Glutamine powder in solution (20% solution)
Sugar Water (20% solution)
Sugar Water (20% solution)
Salt Water (1% solution)
Salt Water (1% solution)
Water
Water
Plain shortbread cookie
Plain shortbread cookie
Don't worry, Dunes Learning Center will provide the bait in your kit!
Don't worry, Dunes Learning Center will provide the bait in your kit!
No time or frequency requirements. You can do this whenever you have the time.
No time or frequency requirements. You can do this whenever you have the time.
Remember to think about if ants are active at that time! You likely won't see much activity outside on days where it is 30 degrees F!
Remember to think about if ants are active at that time! You likely won't see much activity outside on days where it is 30 degrees F!
How is my data used?
How is my data used?
Scientists, like Dr. Magdalena Sorger, use information collected from the project to further their academic research on insects-who lives where, what do they eat, are they completing their jobs in the ecosystems?
Scientists, like Dr. Magdalena Sorger, use information collected from the project to further their academic research on insects-who lives where, what do they eat, are they completing their jobs in the ecosystems?
The program is also available to educators to use in their classes.
The program is also available to educators to use in their classes.
Project Perks
Project Perks
Ant Picnic gives you the opportunity to explore outside and study bugs up close.
Ant Picnic gives you the opportunity to explore outside and study bugs up close.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are studying the habits and lives of ants all over the world.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are studying the habits and lives of ants all over the world.
You have the chance to mix and measure different ant baits.
You have the chance to mix and measure different ant baits.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Fast Notes
Fast Notes
- Ants play a critical role in every ecosystem they live in.
- Ants likely prefer different foods depending on their species.
- Data can help determine how global issues like new food production, migration of species, and climate change affects an ant's ability to fulfill its role in the environment.
- Ant Picnic is managed by the Rob Dunn Lab at North Carolina State University.
- This project allows you to collect data whenever you want, but data collection requires preparation of specific materials.
- No time or frequency requirements.
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