How to Graph Mealworms

Mealworms are the larvae of grain-eating beetles. The larval stage lasts for about 10 weeks. Graphs will help you determine the age of mealworms, which are an important component in many hobbies. Those who own lizards or other reptiles can use mealworms as a constant source of live food. They are also used by anglers as bait for panfish such as bluegill and sunfish. Over time raising your own mealworms can save you money. On occasion you will want to separate out a group and graph them to determine their age so you can use them before they become beetles.

Things You'll Need

  • Mealworms (about 30 from the original colony)
  • Jar with a lid and crushed oats
  • 2 small containers
  • Ruler with millimeters
  • Pencil
  • 1/4 inch graph paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Using the graph paper create a list with three columns. The first column needs to be the width of two of the squares. The second and third columns need to be four squares wide. For the purpose of this graph you will be checking only length and width. In the first column write numbers in ascending order 1 to 30. At the top of the second column write length. On the top of the third column write circumference.

    • 2

      Select thirty worms from your colony of worms and place them in a container. You will want to place the other container, which is empty, to the other side of your graph paper.

    • 3

      Select one worm and place the head of the worm at the beginning of the ruler. Gently flatten out the worm and measure where the tip of the tail is. This is the length. Write this down in the second column.

    • 4

      Measure the width of the worm by holding it on the ruler and then multiplying this measurement by pi (3.14). This will give you the circumference, or girth, of your worm. Write this down in the third column.

    • 5

      Place the worm in the empty container and measure another worm in the same manner. Continue doing this until you are finished measuring all 30 worms.

    • 6

      Add up all of your columns. First the length and then the width. Divide the total number for length by the number of worms; for this example, it was 30. Do the same with the circumference portion. This gives you the average length and girth of your worms.

    • 7

      Draw a graph box on your graph paper. Ten boxes long by 10 boxes high. At the bottom of the graph write the numbers 1 through 10 in the boxes. On the side of the graph start with the rounded number length. Then in the ascending vertical boxes add another millimeter until you have reached the last square. Repeat this process with another graph for the circumference. The bottom left corner will be your starting measurement, so you will not need to plot these.

    • 8

      Wait 48 hours and measure your worms again and repeat all of the above procedures. On the No. 1 box on both graphs place your current measurements. Plot them with a dot using a pen. Repeat this process every 48 hours.

    • 9

      Finishing the graph will give you the data needed to determine the approximate age of your mealworms and how close they are to becoming pupae. Full grown worms, those that are ready to pupate, are 0.98 to 1.38 centimeters long.