AVÊÓƵ

LASI is housed in the Old Ancillary Building of the School of Life Sciences. This is a particularly convenient location as it is only 50 metres from the main Evolution, Behaviour and Environment hub in the John Maynard Smith Building. 

Because the AVÊÓƵ is based on a campus surrounded by countryside, it is an ideal location for LASI.  A large area (140 m² ) of this building was initially renovated and since then a further 40 m² has been added and now provides working space for 17 researchers. This comprises six offices, a tropical ant room, and two general laboratory rooms, all in a self-contained area.

Bee hives in the apiary beside the LASI building

Immediately outside LASI is a garden, an apiary workshop for making bee hives and research equipment (50 m²), and a storage shed for hive equipment (20 m²). Another apiary with a storage shed (20m²) is located within easy walking distance on University land. The number of bee hives being kept depends on the needs of the research. As of  September 2023 we have 30 regular hives and two observation hives. 

Behaviour in an observation bee hive being videotaped and shown live on a TV screen