INSECTS

INSECTS Life Cycles

COOL WORDS Molt Pupa Abdomen Adult Beetle Culture Darkling beetle Dead Dropping

Insect Larva Life cycle Living Mealworm Segment Stage Thorax

What is Mealworm   

They are not worms They are larva. They become darkling beetles.

More about Mealworms   

Mealworms have six stubby legs. Their waste is called frass They have 13 segments:   

1 head 3 thoracic segments 9 abdominal segments

Lets do the math!   

   

1 head + 3 thoracic segments + 9 abdominal segments = 13 segments in all

Pupa 

   

Mealworms will molt 5 times in about 2 months The final time they pupate Pupae don’t eat They only twitch when it is disturbed 2 or 3 weeks later the cuticle splits near the head and …

A Darkling Beetle will emerge   

 

Will start out brown or tan As it matures it darkens until it is black They are true bugs They have jointed legs (Arthropoda) They have an exoskeleton



C:\Documents and Settings\student.EGK12\Desktop\Complete_M etamorphosis.asf

What is the relationship of plants and insects 

Mealworms and darkling beetles are rarely seen in the wild. Mealworms are more likely to be found in barns, grain storage facilities and food preparation areas.



Mealworms are bought and sold as bait or food for pets

Can insects be harmful to people or helpful? 

What do you think about the mealworm? Is it helpful or harmful to people?

What can people learn from insects?

Special thanks to  

  

FOSS (Full Option Science System) AIMS (Activities Integrating Math and Science) Critters www.unitedstreaming.com www.office.micorsoft.com www.fotosearch.com/its5223/itf13905/

Neat facts about wax worms The wax worm is the larva of the greater wax moth. The adult moth lays its eggs in beehives, where the growing larvae feed on honey and wax. A small beehive can be overrun by the larvae and the hive can be destroyed.

WAX WORMS FACTS Wax worm larvae are white to tan, plump, segmented, soft and rather active. The larva has 13 segments Head Three thoracic Nine abdominal Six legs 4 pairs of prolegs equipped with claspers for holding on to surfaces It has spiracles (stiff hairs) on both sides of its body Spinnerits where silk is extruded through.

Interesting words about Wax worms          

Abdomen Adult Bristles Claspers Cocoon Dead Head Insect Larva Moth

     

Proleg Pupa Segment Silk Stage thorax