To conclude...
Questions from initial observations:
- How do mealworms breathe? Insects take in oxygen in through separations in their exoskeletons, known as spiracles.
- What do they eat? In the wild mealworms live on decaying leaves, grasses and branches as well as live roots and stems, dead insects and stored grains. In a domestic setting they can be fed slices of potatoes, apples, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, or other fruits and vegetables from which they obtain water.
- How do they reproduce? Adult beetles mate. The female lays eggs, which take one to four weeks to hatch. One female beetle can produce up to 300 offspring in her lifetime.
- Do they sleep? Mealwoms do sleep.
- What is their lifespan?
- Are they related to maggots? Mealwoms are the larvae of beetles, while maggots are the larvae of flies. They share the Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Athropoda; and Class: Insecta, but differ in Order.
Conclusion:
Mealworms feet don’t appear sticky, but are able to grip many textured surfaces, like cardboard, carpet, and paper. They are great climbers, as long as there is a texture to grip.
Mealworms feel safest in the dark, as predators could easily find them in the light. They also prefer larger items to provide shade and protection for them. The more coverage the better! Mealworms are preoccupied by finding shade to stay safe. They don’t seem to rest until they are safely covered in the dark.
Mealworms prefer room temperatures to warm temperatures. We think this is because they may associate heat with light, and they avoid the light at all costs.
Mealworms are more interested in fresh vegetation and we think this may be because it is a source of water for them.
- How do mealworms breathe? Insects take in oxygen in through separations in their exoskeletons, known as spiracles.
- What do they eat? In the wild mealworms live on decaying leaves, grasses and branches as well as live roots and stems, dead insects and stored grains. In a domestic setting they can be fed slices of potatoes, apples, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, or other fruits and vegetables from which they obtain water.
- How do they reproduce? Adult beetles mate. The female lays eggs, which take one to four weeks to hatch. One female beetle can produce up to 300 offspring in her lifetime.
- Do they sleep? Mealwoms do sleep.
- What is their lifespan?
- Incubation: 10-11 days at 20°C; 4-6 days at 30°C
- Larval period: 90-114 days
- Pupal period: 30 days at 15°C; 9 days at 25°C; 6 days at 35°C.
- Adult: 30-60 days
- Are they related to maggots? Mealwoms are the larvae of beetles, while maggots are the larvae of flies. They share the Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Athropoda; and Class: Insecta, but differ in Order.
Conclusion:
Mealworms feet don’t appear sticky, but are able to grip many textured surfaces, like cardboard, carpet, and paper. They are great climbers, as long as there is a texture to grip.
Mealworms feel safest in the dark, as predators could easily find them in the light. They also prefer larger items to provide shade and protection for them. The more coverage the better! Mealworms are preoccupied by finding shade to stay safe. They don’t seem to rest until they are safely covered in the dark.
Mealworms prefer room temperatures to warm temperatures. We think this is because they may associate heat with light, and they avoid the light at all costs.
Mealworms are more interested in fresh vegetation and we think this may be because it is a source of water for them.
References
Schaffer, D. (2005). Mealworms: Life Cycles. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070205223732AAxlqf0
http://lesson-plans.theteacherscorner.net/science/life/mealworms.php
http://mealwormcare.org/
http://mothernatured.com/2013/08/12/mealworms-a-wiggly-companion/
www.softschools.com/coloring_pages/
http://www.wikihow.com/Breed-Mealworms
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070205223732AAxlqf0
http://lesson-plans.theteacherscorner.net/science/life/mealworms.php
http://mealwormcare.org/
http://mothernatured.com/2013/08/12/mealworms-a-wiggly-companion/
www.softschools.com/coloring_pages/
http://www.wikihow.com/Breed-Mealworms