A prototype RFID tag for detecting bumblebee visitations within fragmented landscapes
Resource type
Journal article
Creator (person)
Barlow, Sarah
O’Neill, Mark
Pavlik, Bruce
Date published
February 7, 2019
Abstract
Detecting the arbitrary movements of fast-moving insects under field conditions is notoriously difficult because existing technologies are limited by issues of size, weight, range and cost. Here, we establish proof-of-concept for a prototype long-range, passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging system for detecting bumblebees and similar sized insects. The prototype tags, weighing 81 mg (49% of mean bee body weight), were flown by bumblebees in a glasshouse and detected at a distance of 1.5 m from a 2 W UHF reader with two aerials. This detection distance is two orders of magnitude greater than existing RFID tags that can be flown by medium-sized bees and, thus, is a significant breakthrough for insect tracking that could be applied to plant conservation and restoration efforts in fragmented landscapes.
Journal title
Journal of Biological Engineering
Volume
13
Issue
1
ISSN
1754-1611
Rights statement
In Copyright