Thee Kittivorapat
Research Mentor: Joseph Caldwell
Mentor Department: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, LSA
Author(s): Thee Kittivorapat, Katie Van De Winkle, Niki Lin, Joseph Caldwell
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 90
Abstract
Wasps are fascinating and intelligent creatures. They live in complex social groups, forage for miles away from their nests, and adapt to various environmental challenges. Although we know that wasps do incredible things in the wild, to better understand their intelligence, we must measure their cognitive abilities. Cognitive abilities include processes such as learning, memory, and problem-solving, which guide how animals interact with their environment. Studying these processes helps biologists understand how complex behaviors evolve and how animals adapt to changing environments. To study cognition, we need to perform standardized tests in controlled environments. These tests allow scientists to reliably and repeatably measure cognitive abilities across multiple individuals. One common method to study animal cognition is to use choice mazes. Specifically, T-mazes have been successfully used to measure learning and memory in paper wasps. However, previous versions of T-mazes required extensive experimenter handling of the wasps, which often introduced inconsistency between trials and individuals. My project was to design an improved T-maze for wasp cognitive research. We constructed the physical structure of the maze using LEGO bricks and automated the maze doors with servo motors. These doors can be opened and closed using a remote control operated by the experimenter, allowing the maze to be controlled without direct physical handling of the wasps. I designed the circuitry and software responsible for controlling the maze doors. This new design reduced experimenter influence and standardized the testing experience for each wasp. Our device is a novel tool that provides a more reliable testing environment and improves confidence in experimental results.
