Computerised video tracking, movement analysis and behaviour recognition in insects

• Published in: Computers and electronics in agriculture Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 201 - 227
• Main Authors: Noldus, Lucas P.J.J, Spink, Andrew J, Tegelenbosch, Ruud A.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2002
• Subjects: Behaviour recognition; EthoVision; Movement analysis; Video tracking; Behaviour recognition; Movement analysis; Video tracking; EthoVision
• ISSN: 0168-1699; 1872-7107
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1699(02)00019-4

The need for automating behavioural observations and the evolution of systems developed for that purpose are outlined. Automatic video tracking systems enable behaviour to be studied in a reliable and consistent way, and over longer time periods than if it is manually recorded. To overcome limitations of currently available systems and to meet researchers' needs as these have been identified, we have developed an integrated system (EthoVision) for automatic recording of activity, movement and interactions of insects. The system is described here, with special emphasis on file management, experiment design, arena and zone definition, object detection, experiment control, visualisation of tracks and calculation of analysis parameters. A review of studies using our system is presented, to demonstrate its use in a variety of entomological applications. This includes research on beetles, fruit flies, soil insects, parasitic wasps, predatory mites, ticks, and spiders. Finally, possible future directions for development are discussed.