Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
<-- Please Select One -->
Date of Award
5-2018
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Christopher Wallace, Istvan Karsai
Committee Members
Martin Barrett
Abstract
The self-organized nest construction behaviors of European paper wasps (Polistes dominula) show potential for adoption in artificial intelligence and robotic systems where centralized control proves challenging. However, P. dominula nest construction mechanisms are not fully understood. This research investigated how nest structures stimulate P. dominula worker action at different stages of nest construction. A novel stochastic site selection model, weighted by simple rules for cell age, height, and wall count, was implemented in a three-dimensional, step-by-step nest construction simulation. The simulation was built on top of a hexagonal coordinate system to improve precision and performance. Real and idealized nest data were used to evaluate simulated nests via two parameters: outer wall counts and compactness numbers. Structures generated with age-based rules were not significantly different from real nest structures along both parameters.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Harrison, Matthew, "Self-Organized Structures: Modeling Polistes dominula Nest Construction with Simple Rules" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3382. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3382
Copyright
Copyright 2018 by Matthew S. Harrison