When biology major Olivia LaRussa ’15 began a senior research project about ants in the Francis Marion National Forest, one of her biggest concerns was – naturally – bugs. In preparation for her hikes in the national forest north of Charleston, she would douse her entire being with potent mosquito spray. However, bugs still found a way to feast on her.
Skin irritations aside, LaRussa’s ant research was a big success. Through the collection of random samples of insects from the forest floor, LaRussa and her adviser – biology professor Brian Scholtens – determined that when foresters purposely burn portions of the park to manage flora and fauna, the resulting, scorched landscape is more attractive to certain types of ants than others.
LaRussa made this conclusion after analyzing samples of “leaf litter” collected from the forest floor and identifying which species of ants lived among the detritus. She counted 10 different species of ants from the samples, and also sorted through many other insects as well, including spiders, beetles, centipedes and, of course, mosquitoes. Back in the laboratory, looking at ants through a high-powered microscope, she was amazed at the complexity of the ants and how pronounced the differences between each species could be.
And having the chance to experience a unique, natural environment and delve into the world of ants was its own reward, she says, independent of the findings of the study.
“It was really hot and I had mosquito bites all over me all semester,” says LaRussa, “but it was totally worth it.”
– Photo by Kip Bulwinkle ’04
