1.

Methods

The research was carried out at the University of Reading campus, ensuring a
diverse and easily accessible environment for data gathering (Figure 1). A total
of 1200 caterpillar replicas in four colours (orange, green, yellow, and red) were
fabricated and placed on 24 trees over two-week intervals. Throughout the
experiment, we monitored the caterpillars closely and recorded instances of
predation. We identified predation by observing cues such as damaged
caterpillars.

Figure 1. Map of the University of Reading campus, highlighting where the sampling was
conducted.

Instructions and guidelines were utilised from (Low et al. 2014) and
(Castagneyrol et al., 2018).

The experimental design encompasses the following steps:

1.1 Caterpillar preparation

1200 caterpillars were made using non-toxic modelling clay in green, yellow,
red, and orange. The modelling clay was rolled into 1cm balls, and using a
12cm long thin wire (Figure 2), the dough was pressed against the wire and
rolled into a 3cm long tube-shaped caterpillar. We used wire to attach the
caterpillars to branches 5mm to 15mm in diameter and located 1.5m to 2m
above the ground. The caterpillars were spaced at least 30cm apart from each
other.

Figure 2. An example of a clay caterpillar that was used in the study.

1.2 Experimental sites

For the experiment, two sites were selected for observation. The first site,
known as the Wilderness, is situated on the University of Reading Whiteknights
campus. It is a heavily wooded area with relatively flat terrain. The experiment
was conducted by installing ten caterpillars of each colour (green, yellow,
orange, and red) on ten hazel trees (Corylus avelana) from July 20th to August
3rd, 2023. This process was repeated for a second set of ten caterpillars of
each colour from August 5th to August 19th, 2023. In total, 800 caterpillars were
installed in the Wilderness.

The second site chosen for the experiment was Harris Garden, also located on
the University of Reading Whiteknights campus. Here, four oak trees (Quercus
cerris and Quercus robur) were selected for the experiment. The third set of 25
caterpillars of each colour (green, yellow, orange, and red) was installed on
each tree from September 29th to October 13th, 2023. In total, 400 caterpillars
were deployed on the oak trees in Harris Garden as part of the experiment. to
13th October 2023.

1.3 Observation and data collection:

1
Regular observations were conducted to record bird species around the sites
and possible interactions between birds and clay caterpillars. Data collected
included the number of predation attempts on each caterpillar model and the
predator type.

1.4 Statistical analyses

Table 1. Data collected set 1.

No. of Total
Predator Caterpillar Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree
catterpillars bites
type Colour 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
set p/tree p/Colour
Green 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Orange 10 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3
Bird
Red 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Yellow 10 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Green 10 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 6
Orange 10 1 0 4 1 2 2 0 0 2 4 16
Arthropod
Red 10 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3
Yellow 10 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 3 9

Table 2. Data collected set 2.

No. of Total
Predator Caterpill Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree Tree
catterpillars bites
type ar Colour 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
set p/tree p/Colour

Green 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 6
Bird Orange 10 0 0 2 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 7
Red 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Yellow 10 2 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 7
Green 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Orange 10 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 3 1 9
Arthropod
Red 10 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Yellow 10 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Table 3. Data collected set 3.

2
 No. of
Predator Caterpill Total bites
catterpillars Tree 1 Tree 2 Tree 3 Tree 4
type ar Colour p/Colour
set p/tree
Green 25 2 3 4 2 11
Orange 25 5 8 6 3 22
Bird
Red 25 2 2 1 2 7
Yellow 25 3 5 4 6 18
Green 25 4 1 2 3 10
Orange 25 3 2 2 1 8
Arthropod
Red 25 1 0 0 1 2
Yellow 25 4 1 1 0 6

2. Results

Overall, the results indicate a consistent trend across both sites and types of
predators. Orange and yellow caterpillars experienced higher attack rates
compared to red caterpillars. Meanwhile, green caterpillars suffered higher
attacks than the red caterpillars but lower than the orange and yellow
caterpillars (Table 4).

Table 4. Data collected from the three sets of caterpillars showing the attack rates per colour.

Total Total Total Overall

Predator Caterpillar bites bites bites total
type Colour p/Colour p/Colour p/Colou bites p/
set 1 set 2 r set 3 colour
Green 1 6 11 18
Orange 3 7 22 32
Bird
Red 1 1 7 9
Yellow 5 7 18 30
Green 6 1 10 17
Arthropo Orange 16 9 8 33
d Red 3 3 2 8
Yellow 9 3 6 18