clay model marks
Researchers at the University of Georgia are studying how clay models of caterpillars can attract predator insects and arthropods in turfgrass and reveal their presence by the marks they leave behind. Their latest study fine-tunes the method by evaluating the colors, shapes, and sizes of the decoys that work best. Shown here are various types of marks left behind on clay models by predator arthropods; marks include paired punctures (top row and middle left), deep distortions (center), pricks (middle right), scoops (bottom left), scratches (bottom middle), and cuts (bottom right). (Image originally published in Khan and Joseph 2021, Journal of Insect Science)