Biology Case

With over 130 recognized species Hymenoptera is one of the largest orders of insects. This order includes wasps, bees, and ants, and sawflies. Hymenoptera usually have two pairs of wings with well developed mouthparts to drink liquids. In some cases Hymenoptera have piercers that are several times the length of their body. Different species of Hymenoptera show different types of feeding habits though most feed on pine needles, nectar, or pollen. (Meyer 2005). Hymenoptera survive on their ability to detect floral scents through their nerve cell receptors. It is reported that they have over 160 olfactory receptors which is at least twice the number in fruit flies and mosquitoes (Robertson & Wanner 2006). Since Hymenoptera have such a high amount of olfactory receptors, the ability to sense foreign scents should come to them as natural. Gardenia taitensis is a species of plant in the Rubiacea family, which is native to the highland shores of the South Pacific, and is one of few plants that is native to Polynesia (Smith 1974). By placing a foreign scent, Gardenia taitensis fragrance, to the Nevada area in our pit fall trap, will the Hymenoptera be attracted to the scent? If Hymenoptera are attracted to Gardenia taitensis fragrance and we create one pitfall trap containing Gardenia taitensis fragrance and another containing only scentless soap and water then more Hymenoptera will be drawn to the Gardenia taitensis fragrance trap.

Experimental Design

For this hypothesis to be tested, multiple materials will be put together, in order to complete the experimental design. Two pit fall traps will be placed into the ground, so that the top is level with the ground. One pit fall will be the control, which will be filled with soapy water and nothing else. For our experimental pit fall, the trap will also be filled with soapy water, with the addition of Gardenia taitensis fragrance. The soapy water will be used in order to catch the Hymenoptera when they come in close contact, and both traps will be consistently checked in order to replenish the Gardenia taitensis fragrance and record data.

*I didn't know how to change the writing in the picture on my mac, so "honey oil" should be "Gardenia taitensis fragrance"*