CFIA – Collection of Arthropods Volunteer
In this volunteer activity, i had the chance to experience different landscapes. I observed diverse amounts of arthropod insects during peak summer seasons in Winnipeg. At different forests and parks, there were different habitats at different locations in Winnipeg. Basically, i had to set up a simple bug trap device manufactured from a company to hang it in a tree before it gets dark. As i was observing the manual, the trap device was quite interesting to observe and the type of insects that was able to trap! I then later realized that a lot of factors would depend on the amount of insects that could get trapped in the device. Factors such as temperature, weather, botany life, etc. were important to take into consideration. At the morning of next day, on the first time that set up the bug trap device, i saw a lot of arthropod insects in a container! I deeply observed for quite a while how did they actually get trapped, and i did got so happy and excited that it worked as how i followed the protocols! And then i even observed for quite more time on the different arthropods trapped in the container. I was observing mostly small moths, ants, and mosquitos. After that discovery, i later wondered and was curious indeed as what kind of insects could get trapped, as well as how much i could collect by the end of the month. This activity was overall very curious.
This volunteer activity made me look more into the trees and taking more care of them as I use the branches to set up the trap. In addition, capturing the different types of arthropods allows research facilities to make the different ecosystems more supported when they live around the environment. As arthropods reproduce every time, research facilities are trying to provide a symbiotic relationship with humans in terms of health concerns such as illnesses and diseases and contributing a positive impact to the climate change.