CISEO: Enforcers References

Resource Sheets
-Plant Propogation
-Rearing Aphids
-Eyelash Brush
-Petri Dish Habitat
-Sampling Methods
-Observation Check Sheet
-Sample Rubric for Group Presentation
-One Gallon Cage
-Predators in the Environment Data Sheet
-Predation Inquiry
-Green lacewing Larval Mouthparts
-Chewing Mouthparts
-Hemipteran Mouthparts

Rearing
-Green lacewing
-Ladybird Beetle
-Big eyed Bug
-Praying Mantid
-Aphids
-Fruit Fly

Anatomy
-Green lacewing
-Ladybird Beetle
-Praying Mantid
-Big eyed Bug

Predation Inquiry

State the question: (Example: Which predator controls aphids better: the ladybird beetle, the lacewing or the big-eyed bug?)

State the goal: (Example: Quantify and compare the predation success of 3-4 insect predators.)

Instructions: Design your investigation by reading and answering all of the following questions that apply.

Predators

Species 1:

Species 2:

Species 3:

Species 4:

Do the predators need to be contained (movement restricted)? If so, how will you accomplish this?

Prey

What prey organism will you use? (Make sure it matches your predator!)
How many will you need?
What does this prey organism need to survive and how will you provide this?
Does this organism need to be contained (movement restricted)? If so, how will you accomplish this?

Habitat

Where will you conduct your investigation?
What environmental factors, if any, will affect the success of this investigation?
Will any environmental factors have to be modified in order to increase the likelihood of a successful investigation? If so, how will you accomplish this?
Will the investigation require the availability and/or use of live plant material? If so, what?
Will you grow plants from seed? If so what will you grow it in and how long will it take to reach the level of maturity optimal for your investigation?

Time Frame

When will you begin this investigation?
How long will this investigation last?
Are there any critical time concerns (e.g., Lead time for ordering insects or supplies, time for seed germination and plant growth, time to raise a large enough colony of prey insects, etc.)? If so, what are they and how will you account for them?

Data Collection

What, specifically, are you going to measure? (Example: number of aphids eaten)
Will you restrict your measurement? (Example: limit the time span of measurement so your results are measured in number of aphids per ten minute period -or- quantity/time.)
Will you use any available methods to gather data? (e.g., data tables, tracking charts, matrices. See ÒPredator Behavior Interactions Tracking SheetÓ, for example.) If so, what?
How will this data answer your question?
How will you assure the accuracy of your data?

Projections

Reviewing your plans for collecting data, how will the data gathered answer your question?
What is the result you expect from this experiment?

Procedure

What specific steps will you take to complete this investigation? Plan each step of your investigation. Construct a time frame.

Results

1. What are the results of your investigation?

2. Are these the results you expected? If not, how are they different?

3. Was your method of data collection adequate? If not, what limitations did you experience?

4. How would you change your experiment to better answer your original question?

Conclusions

1. Now that you have completed the investigation, what are your conclusions?

2. Do you plan to let others know of your findings? If so, how?

3. What new questions do you have?