MetamorphosisDoes temperature affect

it?

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Hypothesis

How does the temperature affect the duration of the metamorphosis process?

Prediction I think the larvae will develop faster in the heat and slower in the cold

Content Statement

Key Words- Metamorphosis, chrysalis, larvae

Science Concept-The life cycle of the butterfly goes in four stages. The butterfly lays an egg, the egg hatches into a caterpillar, caterpillar goes into a cocoon (chrysalis ), and then emerges into a butterfly. The best temperatures for a butterfly to function is 55 degrees to 108 degrees.

Content Statement How it applies- In this experiment we will

be looking at how different temperatures will affect the metamorphosis process of a butterfly. The variables will be the different room temperatures and time exposed to temperatures. We will see if the butterflies emerged ready to fly or if they survived at all.

VariablesManipulated Variables-The temperatures and how long they were exposed to temperatures

Responding variable- How long does it take for the chrysalis to hatch into a butterfly

Constants-chrysalis of same butterflies species

Materials11 Chrysalis

1 1 cups

Tape

Scissors

Paper plates

Pens

2 thermometers

Fridge/cooler

Aquarium

Heat lamp

Recording sheet

Camera

Spray bottle

Computer

Calendar

Family Butterfly Book

Procedure1. Gather 11 caterpillars and feed them everyday

2. After they form their chrysalis, scrape the attached webbing to relocate them.

3. Tape webbing with chrysalis onto a paper plate and date them

4. Place 2 chrysalis’ in an aquarium under a heat lamp at 80 degrees

5. Place five in the refrigerator at 45 degrees always in the dark

Procedure Continued

6. Place three at room temp approximately 70 degrees during day and 60 degrees at night, and near a window

7. Make observations daily, check temperature and spray chrysalis’ with water

8. Photograph the different stages of metamorphosis

9. Record the dates of the hatched butterflies onto the recording sheet

10. Compare data, release butterflies

ResultsThe temperature in the aquarium was 80 degrees.. The butterflies emerged within 10-12 days . The room temperature ranged from 60-70 . The butterflies emerged within 14-22 days. The refrigerator temperature was 45-50 and no butterflies emerged from these chrysalis’, until they were placed in the 80 or room temperature.

.

ConclusionThe development of the butterflies was faster in heat and slower in the cold. My results supported my hypothesis. I learned that when you put a chrysalis in the cold for too long they will not develop properly. If I were to do this experiment again I would refrigerate the chrysalis for only 10-20 days since none survived after 28 days of refrigeration

Narrative

1/25 My friend Karen and I had discussed doing this experiment.

2/1 We gathered chrysalis and began preparing

2/15 I realized I could use this for my virtual science project!

3/5 On the 45degree chrysalis I can see the dark veins on the wings, but no orange color yet. The chrysalis was very dull with a blue shade to it, while the 70 degree chrysalis was a shiny green, I can see the orange wings on the 80 degree chrysalis already.

Narrative Continued

3/8 After 10 days an 80 degree butterfly emerged. A 70 degree butterfly emerged after 22 days. There was no change in the 45 degree chrysalis, so I placed two of them under the 80 degree heat lamp.

3/21 Both butterflies placed under the lamp emerged around a week later.

4/3 I took all the chrysalis out of the fridge to see if they will hatch.

4/11 The butterflies did not emerge. Only one out of five refrigerated chrysalis developed correctly. A second one may have formed correctly, however he fell into the water while inflating and his wings forming them wrinkled.

Narrative Continued

4/12 Putting information together for my power point

4/14 Finished power point ready for presentation

ReferencesThe Butterfly Book by Rick Mikula

Karen Iovino my friend, who is obsessed with butterflies (Thank God!)