Fig. 1
From: A prototype RFID tag for detecting bumblebee visitations within fragmented landscapes
Proof-of-concept testing of prototype RFID tags attached to bumblebees in a glasshouse environment. a Two sizes of prototype passive RFID tag comprising a muRata MAGICSTRAP® chip and hand-coiled inductively loaded whip antenna. The smaller tag (btm) is 7 × 2 mm, plus a 20 mm coiled whip antenna, and weighs 81 mg. The larger tag (top) weighs 128 mg. b An in-flight Bombus terrestris worker carrying a prototype RFID tag. c Experimental design of tag testing arena and tracking system hardware. A1, A2, D = tag detection distance recorded at three approach angles from two aerials. L1, L2 = 52 cm. d The larger tag has a significantly greater detection distance than the smaller tag (t-test: t = 2.97, P < 0.01). Maximum detection distances of large and small tags from two orthogonal aerials were 225 cm and 150 cm, respectively. Nlarge = 12, Nsmall = 20 tested at three approach angles