Device and method for researching insect interspecific competition

Abstract

The invention discloses a device and a method for researching insect interspecific competition, and belongs to the technical field of insect research. The device for studying insect interspecific competition comprises an adjusting plate and an adjusting assembly, the two ends of the adjusting assembly are connected with the two ends of the adjusting plate respectively, so that the adjusting plate defines a cultivation space, and the adjusting assembly adjusts the distance between the two ends of the adjusting plate to adjust the size of the cultivation space. The cover net is used for covering the top of the cultivation space. The size of the cultivation space defined by the adjusting plates is adjusted through the adjusting assemblies so as to adapt to more host plant varieties and insect varieties.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of insect research, and in particular to a device and a research method for studying interspecific competition among insects. Background Art

[0002] Interspecific competition refers to a phenomenon in which different species directly or indirectly suppress each other in order to compete for living space, resources, food, etc. In interspecific competition, one party often gains an advantage while the other party is suppressed or even eliminated. The ability to compete between species depends on the ecological habits, life forms and ecological range of the species. Plant populations with similar ecological habits compete fiercely in terms of resource needs and means of obtaining resources, especially dense populations.

[0003] Interspecific competition is bound to occur between insects with overlapping ecological niches. Existing devices for studying interspecific competition in insects usually require the construction of a culture space to study the interspecific competition relationship between them by observing the changes in the number of different insects in the culture space.

[0004] However, the size of the culture space constructed by existing devices for studying interspecific competition in insects cannot be adjusted, which limits the types of insects that can be studied. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention provides a device and a research method for studying interspecific competition of insects which can adjust the size of the culture space.

[0006] The present application provides a device for studying interspecific competition in insects, comprising:

[0007] Adjustment plate;

[0008] An adjusting component, two ends of which are respectively connected to two ends of the adjusting plate, so that the adjusting plate forms a cultivation space, and the adjusting component adjusts the size of the cultivation space by adjusting the distance between the two ends of the adjusting plate;

[0009] A cover net is used to cover the top of the cultivation space.

[0010] In the embodiment of the present application, the adjustment assembly includes a first adjustment portion and a second adjustment portion;

[0011] The first adjusting portion is disposed at a first end of the adjusting plate, the second adjusting portion is disposed at a second end of the adjusting plate, and the first adjusting portion is engaged with the second adjusting portion.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, a snap-fit ​​piece is provided on the first adjustment portion, and at least two snap-fit ​​grooves are provided on the second adjustment portion. The snap-fit ​​piece is snapped into different snap-fit ​​grooves to adjust the distance between the first end and the second end of the adjustment plate.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present application, the fastener includes a first limit block and a second limit block connected to the first limit block, the first limit block is connected to the first adjustment part, and the second limit block abuts against the side wall of the second adjustment part away from the first limit part to clamp the first adjustment part onto the second adjustment part.

[0014] In the embodiment of the present application, the second limiting block is in the shape of a truncated cone.

[0015] In the embodiment of the present application, the sum of the thickness of the first adjusting portion and the thickness of the second adjusting portion is equal to the thickness of the adjusting plate.

[0016] In the embodiment of the present application, a rope is further included. When the cover net is covered on the top of the cultivation space, the rope is used to fix the cover net on the adjustment plate.

[0017] In the embodiment of the present application, a metal chassis is further included, and at least one magnet block is disposed at the bottom of the adjustment plate. The magnet block is connected to the metal chassis to fix the adjustment plate on the metal chassis.

[0018] In the embodiment of the present application, the adjustment plate is a transparent plastic plate.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a research method for studying insect interspecific competition, which is applied to the device for studying insect interspecific competition described in the first aspect, and the method steps are as follows:

[0020] The adjusting plate forms the cultivation space under the action of the adjusting component;

[0021] After placing the host plant and the two insects into the cultivation space, the cultivation space is closed by a cover net;

[0022] The host plants were removed periodically and the numbers of both insects were recorded.

[0023] The present application provides a device and a research method for studying interspecific competition of insects, comprising an adjusting plate and an adjusting component, wherein two ends of the adjusting component are respectively connected to two ends of the adjusting plate, so that the adjusting plate encloses a cultivation space, and the adjusting component adjusts the size of the cultivation space by adjusting the distance between the two ends of the adjusting plate. The covering net is used to cover the top of the cultivation space. The size of the cultivation space enclosed by the adjusting plate is adjusted by the adjusting component to accommodate more host plant species and insect species. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a device for studying interspecific competition in insects provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the middle adjustment plate;

[0027] Figure 3 A flowchart of a research method for studying interspecific competition in insects provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Reference numerals:

[0029] 100-adjustment plate;

[0030] 200-adjustment assembly; 210-first adjustment part; 220-second adjustment part; 230-fastener; 231-first limit block; 232-second limit block; 240-fastener groove;

[0031] 300-cultivation space;

[0032] 400-cover net;

[0033] 500-metal chassis; 510-magnet block;

[0034] 600-Host plants.

[0035] The above drawings have shown clear embodiments of the present application, which will be described in more detail later. These drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0037] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein, for example.

[0039] In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0040] Interspecific competition refers to a phenomenon in which different species directly or indirectly suppress each other in order to compete for living space, resources, food, etc. In interspecific competition, one party often gains an advantage while the other party is suppressed or even eliminated. The ability to compete between species depends on the ecological habits, life forms and ecological range of the species. Plant populations with similar ecological habits compete fiercely in terms of resource needs and means of obtaining resources, especially dense populations.

[0041] Interspecific competition is bound to occur between insects with overlapping ecological niches. Existing devices for studying interspecific competition in insects usually require the construction of a culture space to study the interspecific competition relationship between them by observing the changes in the number of different insects in the culture space.

[0042] However, the size of the culture space constructed by existing devices for studying interspecific competition in insects cannot be adjusted, which limits the types of insects that can be studied.

[0043] Based on the above considerations, the embodiment of the present application adjusts the size of the cultivation space surrounded by the adjustment plate through the adjustment component to accommodate more host plant species. The embodiment of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0044] in, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a device for studying interspecific competition in insects provided in an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view of the center adjustment plate.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the present application provides a device for studying interspecific competition in insects, including an adjusting plate 100 and an adjusting component 200, wherein two ends of the adjusting component 200 are respectively connected to two ends of the adjusting plate 100 so that the adjusting plate 100 encloses a cultivation space 300, and the adjusting component 200 adjusts the size of the cultivation space 300 by adjusting the distance between the two ends of the adjusting plate 100; and a cover net 400, which is used to cover the top of the cultivation space 300.

[0046] The length of the adjustment plate 100 is 50 cm, the width is 30 cm, and the thickness is 0.5 cm. The adjustment plate 100 is a transparent plastic plate, which ensures good transparency and certain flexibility, is convenient for observing insect activities, and can withstand certain external impacts.

[0047] The cultivation space 300 surrounded by the adjustment plate 100 can adjust the size of the space through the adjustment component 200, so that the cultivation space 300 can adapt to host plants 600 of different sizes, providing a suitable place for competition between insects.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present application, the adjustment assembly 200 includes a first adjustment portion 210 and a second adjustment portion 220;

[0049] The first adjusting portion 210 is disposed at a first end of the adjusting plate 100 , and the second adjusting portion 220 is disposed at a second end of the adjusting plate 100 . The first adjusting portion 210 is engaged with the second adjusting portion 220 .

[0050] In the embodiment of the present application, a snap-fit ​​member 230 is provided on the first adjustment portion 210, and at least two snap-fit ​​grooves 240 are provided on the second adjustment portion 220. The snap-fit ​​member 230 is snapped into different snap-fit ​​grooves 240 to adjust the distance between the first end and the second end of the adjustment plate 100.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present application, the latch 230 includes a first limit block 231 and a second limit block 232 connected to the first limit block 231, the first limit block 231 is connected to the first adjustment portion 210, and the second limit block 232 abuts against the side wall of the second adjustment portion 220 away from the first limit portion to latch the first adjustment portion 210 onto the second adjustment portion 220.

[0052] The first adjustment part 210 on the adjustment component 200 is a rectangular block made of plastic material, which has a certain bending ability, is 8 cm long, 4 cm wide, and 0.25 cm thick. A buckle 230 is set at the center of one side edge. The buckle 230 is formed by a first limit block 231 with a length of 3 cm, a width of 1.5 cm, and a thickness of 0.2 cm and a second limit block 232 with a bottom radius of 0.8 cm and a height of 1.2 cm, which is integrally formed and connected.

[0053] The second adjustment portion 220 is also a rectangular block made of plastic material, with the same size as the first adjustment portion 210. Three snap grooves 240 are equidistantly arranged on the corresponding side edge. The depth of each snap groove 240 is 0.3 cm, and the width and length can be precisely matched with the snap member 230 to achieve a stable snap-on function.

[0054] By snapping the fastener 230 into different fastener slots 240, the distance between the first end and the second end of the adjustment plate 100 can be adjusted, thereby changing the size of the cultivation space 300. For example, when studying interspecific competition of insects of different numbers or sizes, the size of the cultivation space 300 can be adjusted as needed to better simulate different living environments and observe the competition relationship between insects.

[0055] In the embodiment of the present application, the second limit block 232 is in the shape of a truncated cone. This allows the second limit block 232 to be more suitable for snapping into the snap groove 240.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present application, the sum of the thickness of the first adjustment portion 210 and the thickness of the second adjustment portion 220 is equal to the thickness of the adjustment plate 100. After the first adjustment portion 210 and the second adjustment portion 220 are snapped together, the difference in thickness between the two is avoided from affecting the observation, and the tightness and flatness of the connection between the two ends of the adjustment plate 100 and the adjustment assembly 200 can be ensured during assembly, preventing the occurrence of gaps that cause insects to escape.

[0057] In the embodiment of the present application, a rope is further included. When the cover net 400 is covered on the top of the cultivation space 300 , the rope is used to fix the cover net 400 on the adjustment plate 100 .

[0058] The cover net 400 has a certain surplus relative to the top of the cultivation space 300, so that it can be better fixed by ropes.

[0059] The cover net 400 is used to cover the top of the cultivation space 300. Its main function is to prevent insects from escaping from the cultivation space 300, while ensuring air circulation and providing a suitable living environment for insects. When the cover net 400 is covered on the top of the cultivation space 300, a rope is used to fix the cover net 400 on the adjustment plate 100 to ensure the stability of the cover net 400 and prevent insects from pushing the cover net 400 open during activities.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present application, a metal chassis 500 is further included. At least one magnet block 510 is disposed at the bottom of the adjustment plate 100 . The magnet block 510 is connected to the metal chassis 500 to fix the adjustment plate 100 on the metal chassis 500 .

[0061] The magnet block 510 is connected to the metal chassis 500 by magnetic force, so that the adjustment plate 100 can be firmly fixed on the metal chassis 500 to prevent the adjustment plate 100 from moving or shaking during the experiment, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the experiment.

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 Flowchart of a research method for studying interspecific competition in insects provided in an embodiment of the present application

[0063] The present application also provides a research method for studying insect interspecific competition, which is applied to the above-mentioned device for studying insect interspecific competition, and the method steps are as follows:

[0064] S100 , the adjusting plate 100 forms a cultivation space 300 under the action of the adjusting component 200 .

[0065] S200 , after the host plant 600 and the two insects are placed in the cultivation space 300 , the cultivation space 300 is closed by the cover net 400 .

[0066] S300, regularly taking out the host plants 600 and recording the number of the two insects.

[0067] The following is a specific example of using the device to study interspecific competition in insects.

[0068] Research example: Study on interspecific competition between two insects.

[0069] Experimental preparation: Select two different types of insects, namely, adult or larvae of insect A and adult or larvae of insect B. Place insect A and insect B in two different culture dishes and let them adapt to the environment for a period of time. At the same time, prepare the above-mentioned device for studying interspecific competition of insects, and adjust the size of the cultivation space by adjusting the components according to the size and number of the insects and the size of the host plant.

[0070] Experimental process: Put insect A and insect B into the cultivation space at the same time, cover with a net and secure with a rope. Observe and record the behavior of the two insects in the cultivation space, including their activity range, foraging behavior, attack behavior, etc., as well as the changes in the number of the two insects over time.

[0071] Data recording and analysis: At regular intervals, various behavioral data and quantity changes of the two insects are recorded. By analyzing these data, we can understand the interspecific competition relationship between the two insects, such as whether there is competition for resources, territorial disputes, etc., and which insect has more advantages in the competition.

[0072] During the above experiment, the population relationship between insect A and insect B can be studied.

[0073] When the number of insects A and B is the same, insects A and B are placed in the host plant and then placed in the insect interspecific competition device; each group of treatments is repeated 3 times. The day when the two insects are placed is recorded as 0 day, and the host plants are removed regularly to check and record the number of surviving insects.

[0074] When the number of insects A and B was different, the number of insects A and B was set according to the number of insects A being dominant, the number of insects B being dominant, and the number of insects A and B being equal; each group of treatments was repeated 3 times. The day when the two insects were introduced was recorded as 0d, and the host plants were removed regularly to check and record the number of surviving insects of the two species until one of them replaced the other.

[0075] The present application will be further explained below with reference to actual cases.

[0076] In this case, the invasive thrips are alfalfa thrips and the native thrips are bean thrips. The two insects have overlapping hosts and are both important pests on legumes. They both belong to the order Thysanoptera and have similar ecological niches. There is interspecific competition between the two insects. In the following text, alfalfa thrips will be replaced by A and bean thrips will be replaced by B. The host plant is the bean plant.

[0077] The same number of 2 insects (40) were placed in the host plants and then placed in the interspecific competition device. Each treatment was repeated 3 times. The day of placement was recorded as 0 day. Every 2 weeks (about one generation), the host plants were removed and the survival numbers of the 2 insects were checked and recorded. The experimental data are shown in Table 1.

[0078] Table 1

[0079] Algebra A(40) B(40) First Generation 223 284 Second Generation 556 613 Third Generation 898 996

[0080] It can be seen from the table that in individual populations, the population size of both insects increased with the increase in generations, but the population growth rate of bean flower thrips was faster than that of alfalfa thrips.

[0081] The two insects were placed in different numbers on the host plants and then placed in the insect interspecific competition device; each group was treated three times. The day of placement was recorded as 0 day, and the host plants were removed every 2 weeks (about one generation) to check and record the survival number of the two insects. The experimental data are shown in Table 2.

[0082] Table 2

[0083]

[0084] As shown in Table 2, in a mixed population, when the number of alfalfa thrips is dominant, it can almost replace bean flower thrips in the first generation; when the number is the same, it can almost replace bean flower thrips in the second generation; when the number of bean flower thrips is dominant, it can almost replace alfalfa thrips in the third generation. The research results show that when two insects coexist and compete, the one with a larger initial number has a greater competitive advantage, but when the number of alfalfa thrips is dominant, the replacement speed is faster.

[0085] It should be noted that the “ / ” in Table 2 indicates that the interspecific competition relationship can be seen from the previous generation, and no subsequent population statistics are required, which does not mean that the population of the two insects is 0.

[0086] The present application provides a device for studying interspecific competition of insects, including an adjusting plate and an adjusting component, wherein the two ends of the adjusting component are respectively connected to the two ends of the adjusting plate, so that the adjusting plate encloses a cultivation space, and the adjusting component adjusts the size of the cultivation space by adjusting the distance between the two ends of the adjusting plate. The covering net is used to cover the top of the cultivation space. The size of the cultivation space enclosed by the adjusting plate is adjusted by the adjusting component, and the device has a simple structure and wide applicability, and the size of the device and the type of host plant can be adjusted according to the type of insect.

[0087] It can better infer which of two insects with similar ecological niches, especially invasive species and native species, has a greater competitive advantage on the same host plant in the wild, and which one may eventually be replaced by the other, so as to take measures in advance to protect species diversity.

[0088] So far, the technical solution of the present application has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the protection scope of the present application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0089] In general, terms should be understood, at least in part, by the context in which they are used. For example, the terms "one or more" as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense, or may be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense, depending, at least in part, on the context. Similarly, terms such as "one" or "a plurality of" may also be understood to convey singular usage or to convey plural usage, depending, at least in part, on the context.

[0090] It should be easily understood that “on,” “above,” and “over” in the present disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest manner, so that “on” not only means “directly on something,” but also includes the meaning of “on something” with intervening features or layers therebetween, and “above” or “over” not only includes the meaning of “above” or “over,” but also may include the meaning of “above” or “over something” with no intervening features or layers therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

Claims

1. A device for studying interspecific competition in insects, characterized in that: include: Adjustment plate (100); an adjusting component (200), wherein two ends of the adjusting component (200) are respectively connected to two ends of the adjusting plate (100), so that the adjusting plate (100) encloses a cultivation space (300), and the adjusting component (200) adjusts the size of the cultivation space (300) by adjusting the distance between the two ends of the adjusting plate (100); A cover net (400), the cover net (400) is used to cover the top of the cultivation space (300).

2. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjustment assembly (200) comprises a first adjustment portion (210) and a second adjustment portion (220); The first adjustment portion (210) is arranged at the first end of the adjustment plate (100), and the second adjustment portion (220) is arranged at the second end of the adjustment plate (100), and the first adjustment portion (210) is snap-connected with the second adjustment portion (220).

3. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first adjustment portion (210) is provided with a snap-fitting member (230), and the second adjustment portion (220) is provided with at least two snap-fitting grooves (240), and the snap-fitting member (230) is snapped into different snap-fitting grooves (240) to adjust the distance between the first end and the second end of the adjustment plate (100).

4. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to claim 3, characterized in that: The latch (230) comprises a first limiting block (231) and a second limiting block (232) connected to the first limiting block (231), wherein the first limiting block (231) is connected to the first adjusting portion (210), and the second limiting block (232) abuts against a side wall of the second adjusting portion (220) away from the first adjusting portion (210), so as to clamp the first adjusting portion (210) onto the second adjusting portion (220).

5. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second limiting block (232) is in the shape of a truncated cone.

6. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sum of the thickness of the first adjustment portion (210) and the thickness of the second adjustment portion (220) is equal to the thickness of the adjustment plate (100).

7. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: It also comprises a rope, and when the cover net (400) is covered on the top of the cultivation space (300), the rope is used to fix the cover net (400) on the adjustment plate (100).

8. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: It also comprises a metal chassis (500), and at least one magnet block (510) is arranged on the adjustment plate (100), and the magnet block (510) is connected to the metal chassis (500) so as to fix the adjustment plate (100) on the metal chassis (500).

9. The device for studying interspecific competition of insects according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The adjustment plate (100) is a transparent plastic plate.

10. A method for studying interspecific competition in insects, characterized in that: The device for studying interspecific competition of insects as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 comprises the following steps: The adjusting plate (100) forms the cultivation space (300) under the adjustment of the adjusting component (200); After placing a host plant (600) infested with two types of insects into the cultivation space (300), the cultivation space (300) is closed by the cover net (400); The host plant (600) is taken out regularly and the numbers of the two insects are recorded, and the interspecific competition relationship between the two insects is obtained based on the changes in the numbers.

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