RFID tracking of bumble bee foraging behavior

Knowledge graph centered on RFID tracking of bumble bee foraging behavior with 24 nodes and 104 connections. Top connected: Bombus, Bombus terrestris, Bombus appositus, B. appositus, Bombus impatiens.

Method synopsis

Custom-built RFID system using paired antenna cards and microSD data logging to continuously track individual bee movements in and out of nest boxes. System records timestamps for each entrance and exit event to quantify foraging trip duration and frequency.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Wild foundress queen bumble bees make numerous, short foraging trips and exhibit frequent nest failure: Insights from trap-nesting and RFID tracking (2025), Ecology and Evolution. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Install RFID systems
   Installed custom-made printed circuit board (PCB) connected to two antenna cards (Adafruit PN532) with onboard lithium-ion button-cell battery powering a 24-h clock and microSD card slot for data storage. Positioned antenna cards over a tunnel through which all bees had to walk to enter or exit their nest box. Each paired reader was powered by a portable 6V battery.
   Quantities: RFID systems installed on subset of nest boxes, 2 antenna cards per systemDuration: During initial box setup and maintained throughout study periodConditions: Weatherproofed for outdoor use
   Equipment: custom PCB, Adafruit PN532 antenna cards, lithium-ion button-cell battery, 24-h clock, microSD card, 6V portable battery
2. Tag queens with RFID
   Tagged queens within 24h of observing nest colonization. Temporarily removed queens from nest boxes and placed them into queen marking tubes. Identified them to species and attached RFID tag (3.2×3.2×0.4mm; 0.099g; Murata Electronics XMS333HCK-171) to their thorax with cyanoacrylate glue while queens were immobilized in the marking tube to avoid intentionally harming them.
   Quantities: RFID tags measuring 3.2×3.2×0.4mm weighing 0.099gDuration: Within 24 hours of nest colonization detectionConditions: Done to avoid unintentionally harming queens during early nesting period
   Equipment: queen marking tubes, RFID tags (Murata Electronics XMS333HCK-171), cyanoacrylate glue

Typical Equipment

• custom PCB
• Adafruit PN532 antenna cards
• RFID tags (Murata Electronics XMS333HCK-171)
• microSD card
• 6V portable battery

Output Measurements

• foraging trip duration
• foraging frequency
• entrance/exit timestamps

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol