An Observance of Insects in a Controlled Environment DR#3

This article submitted by THE NOTORIOUS B.U.G. PEOPLE [e-mail: HARPERKL@muohio.edu ] on 10/13/97.

The goal of the student generated lab is to test and discover the attraction of insects to pre-selected foods. The food that will be used to test the insects is the most important factor. It is the resource from which data and information will be collected. Since the foods used will be so important in the discovery, only pure foods will be used. The hope is that by using pure foods, the insects will be attracted to the food itself and not the added ingredients or preservatives. After careful consideration, the food that will be used in the lab includes: apple, mushrooms, beef, cat food, horse food pellets, and unsalted peanuts. Many of these foods were prepared in a food dehydrator including the apples, the mushrooms, and the beef as a control measure. Many observations will hopefully be accumulated from the research done in the lab. The anticipated results will ultimately give information as to the food preferences of insects.

The freshness of the food is a factor that will have to be carefully regulated and controled in order to get accurate results. The food, although dehydrated or dried, will still be changed aproximately once a week to ensure the freshest conditions and will be stored in ziploc bags. The decision to dehydrate the food was made to ensure that there was not a major change in weight due to water loss through evaporation. All six selections of food will be placed in small cups and weighed and the beginning of each week. The weight of the cup will be subtracted from the total weight. The cups will be placed in each artificial habitat. The bug will be obtained from a local bait store. The insects will include crickets, ants, and ladybugs. The bugs will be placed inside tupperware containers. Sand will fill the bottom and a piece of wood will also be included. Water will be added to the soil weekly and a container of water will always be available.

The data will be collected every class period, twice a week. The food will be weighed and recorded on a data sheet. The data will be recorded at five fifty on Monday and Wednesday. Progress reports will be submitted when ever neccessary and posted on the internet to show the progress of The Bug Lab. Hopefully, with careful planning and documentation, accurate and insightful information will be gathered and achieved.

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