Hi all, I just wanted to thank everyone that took the time to respond to me and give me information about filming invertebrates in the field. Here again is the question and below is an anonymized summary of responses
*Eco-log,* *Does anyone have experience or tips regarding filming insects in the field? I am about to embark on a project where I plan to record insects visiting egg masses placed in field sites.* *Thus, I am interested in purchasing small cameras that are: * *1. Waterproof* *2. Use an SD card* *3. Don't need/have a big battery* *4. Can film at night.* *with the bonuses of (if possible)* *5. Easily mountable* *6. Good zoom or standard level of magnification without modification* *I'd appreciate any insights.* - The Olympus TG-4 16 MP Waterproof DigitalCamera with 3-Inch LCD (Black) <https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=3F34BJEQQEFMS&K=A1QOY8MWT6DSFW&R=17CTU6PEATSEX&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00UKV5D4C%2Fref%3Dpe_385040_30332210_TE_dp_2&A=FHRMGADWH8B7FPFMJJA6MAJVCZGA&H=DYKPLEDOTOGUNO1ESA7TAOJ95T8A&ref_=pe_385040_30332210_TE_dp_2> Basically, it has all the characteristics you are looking for, plus it has a feature where you take multiple shots sequentially with minimal differences in depth and it combines all the images at one. It really helps for macro photos of arthropods that are not flat. So, it deals nicely with the "tridimensionality" of the small creatures. Regarding the ability to film at night, I believe the model is sensible to infra-red. I bought an additional infra-red lantern because the regular settings are not so strong. And, finally, I also bought Olympus LED Light Guide (LG-1) for Olympus TG-1/2/3/4 <https://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?C=3F34BJEQQEFMS&K=A1QOY8MWT6DSFW&R=17CTU6PEATSEX&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00JHME2I8%2Fref%3Dpe_385040_30332210_TE_dp_1&A=V5STTULJQQUDTPSP6L2P943VJLSA&H=BGGRWXEU3Y116CSGAIJOFZT2XCOA&ref_=pe_385040_30332210_TE_dp_1> to help with the light. - I have used security DVRS for filming birds and I know that the small bullet cams are quite capable of focusing closely... I have considered using them for arthropods. However, with the advent of raspberry pi computers it is very possible to make your own bespoke system with a camera you specify, which will record stills or video to SD and might be more cost effective and have higher quality. There was a recent PLOS one article on making such systems (: http://journals.plos. org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0169758) - The Mary Gardiner Lab at Ohio State has some experience with filming insects, you might want to contact them - My initial answer is: this technology doesn't exist yet for reasonable prices (so far as I am aware). I have tried using Mobius cameras (knock off Go-pros, ~80 per camera) which can be modified for macro lenses but can't easily film at night. I also only used them for 4-6 hour time frames and had to buy a bulkier external smart phone battery for them though. On the other hand, I have also seen waterproof, night-capable DVR systems (1-2 TB storage) that come with 4 bullet cameras attached to one home security system. But, then you are looking at around $500 per system. And, you'd need a boat battery since there are no outlets in the field. - the Amcrest system I've looked into has long cords that attach to the central DVR... so you might be able to get away with just one system with multiple cameras attached. The cables run like 500 m away from the system. https://amcrest.com/amcrest-eco-series-1080p-hd-over- analog-hdcvi-16ch-video-security-system-w-eight-2-0- mp-weatherproof-ip67-bullet-cameras-ir-led-night-vision- long-distance-transmit-range-pre-installed-2tb-hd.html <https://amcrest.com/amcrest-eco-series-1080p-hd-over-analog-hdcvi-16ch-video-security-system-w-eight-2-0-mp-weatherproof-ip67-bullet-cameras-ir-led-night-vision-long-distance-transmit-range-pre-installed-2tb-hd.html> But, these systems don't have macro lenses and the focus may be off. So, you'd probably need to buy macro lenses and then attach them to the cameras. We've machine shopped adapters for different cameras before but I think you could get away with hot glue if you also glued silica pellets between the 2 lenses to get rid of moisture. If you do want to try a Mobius, you would need to modify it like this guy does in this youtube video: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=3RKKti69y9c - I recommend the Brinno TLC200 Pro. It does all the first four things you mention except video in the dark. I have had good luck using them to get time lapse video of checkerspot larvae in the field: 32 G SD card can do every 30 seconds lapse rate for at least a week. It can focus within about 20 cm (?), but I don't think it zooms/ magnifies. - Depending on your budget and how many camera sites you'll have, off-brand GoPros might work the best. Small size, SD card, better frame rate and macro capabilities than most game cams -- and not too expensive ($40-$80 per unit). Night filming might be a problem, though. You can buy small motion-detecting IR flashes and set them up on a trigger. Again, if you have a lot of camera sites this might be a pain (you would need to do some 'modding' here). Most game cameras tend to be rather expensive and designed for mammals. Even some of the higher-end cameras will still have relatively poor resolution and usually rubbish for macro shots. On top of that most trail cameras rely on heat, hence infrared, and probably wont detect insects. Here's some potentially helpful stuff i found: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262731665_Video- surveillance_system_for_remote_long-term_in_situ_ observations_Recording_diel_cavity_use_and_behaviour_of_ wild_European_lobsters_Homarus_gammarus <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262731665_Video-surveillance_system_for_remote_long-term_in_situ_observations_Recording_diel_cavity_use_and_behaviour_of_wild_European_lobsters_Homarus_gammarus> https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236857252_ Pollination_of_Platanthera_chlorantha_Orchidaceae_New_ video_registration_of_a_hawkmoth_Sphingidae <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236857252_Pollination_of_Platanthera_chlorantha_Orchidaceae_New_video_registration_of_a_hawkmoth_Sphingidae> https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232241942_ Portable_digital_video_surveillance_system_for_ monitoring_flower-visiting_bumblebees <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232241942_Portable_digital_video_surveillance_system_for_monitoring_flower-visiting_bumblebees> -- Todd D. Johnson Hanks Lab | Department of Entomology University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Website <http://www.forestentomology.com> | Google scholar <http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=C8d1I70AAAAJ&hl=en> [email protected] (610) 984-5636
