Page 62 - Abstract book - TJSSF-2020

Thailand – Japan Student Science Fair 2020 (TJ-SSF 2020)
“Seeding Innovations through Fostering Thailand – Japan Youth Friendship”

Inhibition of active behavior of stink bugs

Ichiro Machida , Rina Yamanaka ,Hidenori Nakano , Yositeru Watanabe
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Advisors: Takayuki Fukuda , Rina Iwaki
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Ritsumeikan Keisho High School
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Abstract
Our research theme is the inhibition of active behavior of stink bugs. At Ritsumeikan Keisho High
School, to which we belong, by stink bug infestations occur every summer and autumn. We thought
students could possible to remedy the problems caused by stink bugs. Therefore, the research theme
"Inhibition of active behavior of stink bugs" was chosen. Insects display phototaxis behavior, movement
in response to ultraviolet rays emitted from light sources. Stink bugs also have this behavior. In addition,
some light sources emit ultraviolet rays and others do not. For example, light sources such as the sun,
moon, and fluorescent lamps emit ultraviolet rays, but light sources such as LEDs do not. All the light
sources used in our school buildings are fluorescent lights. One of the causes of stink bugs invading
may be the ultraviolet rays emitted from the fluorescent lamps inside the school. It is suspected that
stink bugs gather because of the ultraviolet rays emitted from light sources near the windows of our
school. If stink bugs are confirmed to be repelled by LEDs, the long-standing damage caused by stink
bugs would be resolved. Therefore, we will focus on the phototaxis of stink bugs and clarify how
invasions of stink bugs change depending on the light sources in the school buildings. We will prepare
a bug cage and partition it with a wall with enough holes for stink bugs to readily pass through. One of
the two spaces created will be considered "inside the school building", and the other "outside the school
building". Fluorescent lamps or LEDs will be installed "inside the school building". Stink bugs will be
released "outside the school building” adequate food and water. We will observe the movement of the
stink bugs and confirm what kinds of behaviors they exhibit. We also will compare the behavior of stink
bugs when either fluorescent lights or LEDs are installed in the school building to see how the light
sources in the school buildings affect the behavior of stink bugs.

Keywords: stink bug, active behavior

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