Mealworms VS. Superworms: The Different Respiration Rates Based on Temperature

Abstract

We are investigating the differences of respiration rates in ectotherms based on differing temperatures between species. Mealworms and superworms were chosen for this experiment because they are very similar species of ectotherms that differ in size. Respiration rate can be determined by the amount of CO₂ produced divided by time. For this investigation the amount of CO₂ produced from mealworms and superworms is being measured and recorded with tests run at three varying temperatures of 10℃, 20℃, and 30℃ in order to compare respiration rates. The data shows that the larger the ectotherm, the more CO₂ it emits, and as the temperature decreased, the respiration rate of the superworms and mealworms also decreased, with the superworms emitted more CO₂. Our data does not support our hypothesis that superworms will have a slower respiration rate than mealworms in any of the three trials.