The Manduca Project

Science Activities

Observation & Investigations

Observation

photograph of 3 young students observing their Manduca Sexta

Encourage students to use microscopes, magnifying glasses, cameras, rulers, scales, and other tools to observe their Manducas throughout their development. Have them keep a Manduca Journal to regularly record their observations, measurements, and thoughts.

Use drawings, transparencies, or charts to show students the anatomy of Manduca sexta at different stages of development. Discuss what makes a Manduca an insect. Have students examine their caterpillars during each stage and have them identify the parts.

Questions for investigations

There are many good scientific questions that can be asked and answered using Manduca sexta. Here are just a few to get you started:

How does the Manduca sexta's color vary with its diet? Why is their color different when they are raised on plants, rather than on an artificial diet? Which color might help a Manduca survive in a natural environment? Relate this to other examples of protective coloration in nature. Do humans have protective coloration too? Do we need it

Examine and draw the mouthparts of a larval Manduca and of the adult Manduca moth. What are the similarities and differences, and why do they occur?

How does varying the _____________affect the growth of Manduca larvae? Fill in the blank with any environmental variable you wish to test: diet, temperature, hours of daylight, amount of time handled, noise level... Use your imagination!

More about mouths

What other creatures have mouths different from ours? Draw the most unusual mouth you've ever seen on a lifing thing. Why might the mouth look so strange?

Match set of mouthpart pictures with pictures of their "owners". Why is the mouth constructed as it is? This could also work with types of locomotion, eyes, skin coverings, etc...

The Manduca Project
The University of Arizona
Contact: Dr. Michael Wells
Revised: July 27, 2001, 2001