Introduction: Mealworms, also known as Tenebrio molitor, are a type of beetle larva that are commonly used as a food source for animals in the pet industry, as well as for scientific research. In this lab report, we will be studying the growth and development of mealworms through different stages of their life cycle.
Methods: For this experiment, we obtained a group of mealworms from a local pet store and placed them in a plastic container with a substrate of oats and bran. The container was kept at room temperature (approximately 22°C) and the mealworms were given a piece of carrot and potato for moisture.
Every week, we measured the length and width of 10 randomly selected mealworms using a ruler. We also counted the number of mealworms present in the container and recorded any observations about their behavior or physical appearance.
Results: Over the course of the experiment, we observed several changes in the mealworms as they progressed through different stages of their life cycle.
Initially, the mealworms were small and pale in color, with an average length of 1.5 cm and width of 0.5 cm. As they grew, they became darker in color and reached an average length of 2.5 cm and width of 0.7 cm.
We also noticed that the mealworms became more active as they matured, often crawling around the container and burrowing into the substrate.
At the end of the experiment, we observed that several of the mealworms had pupated and transformed into adult beetles. These beetles had an average length of 3.5 cm and width of 1.2 cm, and were dark brown in color with hardened exoskeletons.
Conclusion: Through this experiment, we were able to observe the growth and development of mealworms through different stages of their life cycle. We found that mealworms undergo physical changes as they grow, including an increase in size and a change in color. We also observed that they become more active as they mature and eventually transform into adult beetles.
Overall, this experiment provided valuable insights into the biology of mealworms and the process of metamorphosis in insects. It also demonstrated the importance of monitoring and recording data to accurately track the development of an organism.