Transcript [Poster title] - University of Miami

The Effect of Excessive Heat on Caterpillar Survival
The Shell Crackers
[Replace the following names and titles with those of the actual contributors: Helge Hoeing, PhD1; Carol Philips, PhD2; Jonathan Haas, RN, BSN, MHA3, and Kimberly B.
Zimmerman, MD4
1[Add affiliation for first contributor], 2[Add affiliation for second contributor], 3[Add affiliation for third contributor], 4[Add affiliation for fourth contributor]
Methods
Abstract
Throughout this experiment, our group experimented with
15 painted lady caterpillars to observe whether or not they’d be
affected by an increase of temperature from 24 degrees Celsius
to 29 degrees Celsius .This was our treatment group. The
experiment went on for about two-three weeks. The control group
was kept in a temperature of about 24 degrees Celsius. Both
groups were placed on top of a heating pad, although the control
group’s was turned off.
Results
Materials
•Caterpillars
• Heat pad
•Thermometer (2),
•Standard size kit cups
• Bins
•Food
•Data sheet
•Construction paper
•Skewers
•Cheese cloth
Procedures
Introduction:
The painted lady butterfly is probably the most widespread
butterfly in the world. They have good eyes and camouflage to
protect themselves from predators, while displaying a beautiful
array of colors across their four wings.
During this experiment we tested the effects of an increased
temperature on 15 painted lady caterpillars (Treatment groupT).The control group was at room temperature (24oC).Our null
hypothesis was that there would be no effect on the caterpillars’
survival. Our alternative hypothesis was that there would be an
effect on the caterpillars’ survival.
1. Set of 30 caterpillars. 15 for control (c) and 15 for
treatment (t)
2. We place equal amounts of food in each of the 30 cups.
3. We gently placed 1 caterpillar in each cup.
4. Then we placed 15 treatment in the bin over the heating
pad with a heat of 28 degree Celsius.
5. Then we placed 15 control in the bin without a heating
pad with a temperature of 24 degree Celsius.
6.On each day the temperature of the bin and the mass of
each caterpillar sample was taken.
7. Through observations, the caterpillars began to form in
to a chrysalis
8. After they became butterflies we set them free to a
butterfly garden.
Specimen number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Total Survived
Total Died
Control group
survived
died
died
died
died
died
survived
died
survived
survived
survived
died
survived
survived
died
7
8
Treatment Group
died
Survived
died
died
died
died
died
died
died
died
died
died
died
died
died
1
14
Percentage of surviving caterpillars
7%
control
treatment
Vanessa Cardui
53%
Conclusions
We reject the null hypothesis and accept our
alternative hypothesis. Stating that there would be a
difference in the survival rate of the caterpillars.
The treatment group had a significant difference ,
having only 1 of 15 caterpillars surviving. The control
had 7 out of 15 caterpillars survive. This determines
that too much heat can reduce the survival rate of
painted lady caterpillars. The painted lady butterfly
seems to have a much better survival chance in 24
degrees Celsius.