The Impact that Temperature has on the Behavioral Habits of Zophobas morio

Abstract

Ectotherms’ metabolism and behavior vary based on the ambient temperature of their environment.  However, most studies focus on the metabolic changes due to temperature.  This study focuses on changes in behavior of superworms in reduced temperatures.  We hypothesize that colder temperatures will affect superworms’ activity levels, because they are ectotherms and rely on the ambient temperature of their environment to provide them with energy. We measured the activity and distance traveled during 5 minute trials at either 10 °C or room temperature.  We found that superworms were less active at 10 °C than at room temperature. On average, at room temperature, the superworms traveled 191% further than the superworms that were placed in the colder temperatures. The superworms that were in room temperature were 83% more active than the superworms placed in the colder temperatures.