Exploration 3: Dark or Light Spaces?
Times Repeated: 5
Hypothesis:
If mealworms are given the choice between light and dark spaces, then they will choose the dark space.
Reasoning:
Mealworms often live underground which can be cold.
Materials:
Procedure:
1. Place mealworms under tinfoil bowl in the center of the box.
2. Place candle in candle holder and set in one corner of the box.
3. Set binder over surface of box to create a ceiling.
4. Prop egg carton against binder in front of candle to block the light from entering the back end of the box.
5. Place tinfoil over the back end of the wall to completely obstruct any light from entering.
6. Release mealworms from tinfoil bowl.
7. Observe for 5 minutes.
Hypothesis:
If mealworms are given the choice between light and dark spaces, then they will choose the dark space.
Reasoning:
Mealworms often live underground which can be cold.
Materials:
- 1 cardboard juice box container from Costco
- tinfoil
- small tinfoil bowl
- egg carton
- 1 candle in thick glass holder
- thick binder
- 3 mealworms
Procedure:
1. Place mealworms under tinfoil bowl in the center of the box.
2. Place candle in candle holder and set in one corner of the box.
3. Set binder over surface of box to create a ceiling.
4. Prop egg carton against binder in front of candle to block the light from entering the back end of the box.
5. Place tinfoil over the back end of the wall to completely obstruct any light from entering.
6. Release mealworms from tinfoil bowl.
7. Observe for 5 minutes.
Observations:
In observing this experiment we found that upon being released from the tin foil bowl the worms would take off randomly, exploring their surroundings often gravitating to the edges of the box, before working their way to the darker part of the box. In the one instance that the meal worm did choose the light side of the box, he climbed up the side of the egg carton and in one of the cups, after discussion of whether or not this counted, the decision was made to count it as choosing the light. As this was the first round of testing we wanted to see if it would happen again, it didn’t. One explanation for this piece of outlaying data may be linked to the fact that the worm was continuing to explore his surroundings and due to the time limit placed on the experiment. As the behavior was not repeated in the other four tests, it would be safe to assume this was a fluke.
Variables:
The candle could have emitted heat causing the mealworms to escape to cooler areas. Although to human touch the candle did not feel excessively hot due to the thick glass of the holder, we do not know if mealworms have a higher perception of temperature. Previous experiments with cold and heat yielded nothing in terms of preference, so according to our research the most logical answer is that heat had little to do with the mealworms' decision.
Results: According to our results, and with the variables in mind, our data shows that our mealworms prefer to be in the dark. This would explain as to why, when observing our mealworms in our boxes on a daily basis, they tend to relocate to the "darker areas". Mealworms tend to be in the corners of the box or hidden beneath the paper. Out hypothesis was correct.
Further research:
After conducting further research, we were able to discover that Mealworms do prefer darkness. One source even mentions that the worms have a fear of drying up. They need moisture to survive and thus direct light can infringe upon their preferred habitat.
For more information: http://insected.arizona.edu/mealinfo.htm
In observing this experiment we found that upon being released from the tin foil bowl the worms would take off randomly, exploring their surroundings often gravitating to the edges of the box, before working their way to the darker part of the box. In the one instance that the meal worm did choose the light side of the box, he climbed up the side of the egg carton and in one of the cups, after discussion of whether or not this counted, the decision was made to count it as choosing the light. As this was the first round of testing we wanted to see if it would happen again, it didn’t. One explanation for this piece of outlaying data may be linked to the fact that the worm was continuing to explore his surroundings and due to the time limit placed on the experiment. As the behavior was not repeated in the other four tests, it would be safe to assume this was a fluke.
Variables:
The candle could have emitted heat causing the mealworms to escape to cooler areas. Although to human touch the candle did not feel excessively hot due to the thick glass of the holder, we do not know if mealworms have a higher perception of temperature. Previous experiments with cold and heat yielded nothing in terms of preference, so according to our research the most logical answer is that heat had little to do with the mealworms' decision.
Results: According to our results, and with the variables in mind, our data shows that our mealworms prefer to be in the dark. This would explain as to why, when observing our mealworms in our boxes on a daily basis, they tend to relocate to the "darker areas". Mealworms tend to be in the corners of the box or hidden beneath the paper. Out hypothesis was correct.
Further research:
After conducting further research, we were able to discover that Mealworms do prefer darkness. One source even mentions that the worms have a fear of drying up. They need moisture to survive and thus direct light can infringe upon their preferred habitat.
For more information: http://insected.arizona.edu/mealinfo.htm