The Effect of Color On Red Harvester

Ant Movement

By: James Draham

Problem Statement and Hypothesis

Are Red Harvester Ants attracted to or afraid of certain colors?

If I place Red Harvester Ants in the middle of an assay with colors, then they will go to green most of the time.

If I place Red Harvester Ants in the middle of an assay with colors, then they will not be attracted to a certain color (Null)

Concepts

Assay

Eyesight of ants

Design Diagram

Title: The effect of color on harvester ant movement

Hypothesis: If the ants are placed in the assay with colors, then they will be mainly attracted to green.

IV: Start the ant facing certain colors- Green, Red, White, or Black

Levels Control: Start Ant facing White

Start Ant facing Black

Start Ant facing Green

Start Ant facing Red

Trials 100 100 100 100

Design Diagram (cont.)

DV: Harvester Ant Movment

Constants:

Assay used

Lighting

Time allowed for each ant

Type of Ant tested

Weather (Wind, etc.) *

*Hopefully conducted inside for no weather issues

Safety Precautions

Wear a leather glove

Use tweezers to handle ants

Be positive that lids are sealed on containers

Results

Chi Square

(o-e)2/e

White:

(62-50)2/50=(12)2/50=144/50=2.88

Black:

(42-50)2/50=(-8)2/50=64/50=1.28

Red:

(69-50)2/50=(19)2/50=361/50=7.22

Green:

(27-50)2/50=(-23)2/50=529/50=10.58

Total:

2.88+1.28+7.22+10.58= 21.96

21.96 > 16.27

P value < .001

>.1% chance

Reject Null

Before

During

After

Results Graph

Totals Graph

Conclusions

Green

White/Red

Errors

The Assay

Scared Ants

My hand

Continuations

Different colors

Terrains

Bibliography

http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/publications/epubs/e-402.cfm

Biology Concepts and Connections

http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg361.html

http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=4421

http://www.tightloop.com/ants/whatEatsAnts.htm

Acknowledgments

My Parents

Mrs. Pietrangelo

Carolina.com