B. Research Proposal No.

3
a. Research topic: The growth rate of a superworm
b. Suggested Working Research Title: An experimental study on how quick a
superworm (zophobas morio) morphs into a beetle when subjected to different
temperatures.
c. Introduction
Exotic pet keeping is a growing community and only keeps on growing by the
day, especially with the help of social media where influencers would show off
their interesting pets like leopard geckos, bearded dragons and even monster
fish on various platforms and would often hook people into the hobby. The
most common food source for said animals would be mealworms (Tenebrio
molitor) and superworms (zophobas morio) since they are more available on
local pet stores or online. These little creatures surprisingly have more use
than just being feeds as some researchers from the University of Queensland
discovered that superworms can also be a way to dispose plastic waste;
specifically, polystyrene which is a hard, solid plastic, it is often used in
products that require clarity, such as food packaging and laboratory
equipment and take up 30 percent of space in some major landfills.

i. Statement of the Problem/Questions

It tries to address the following questions in particular:

1.) Does temperature affect how these worms morph?

2.) What triggers them to morph faster? Hotter or colder temperature?
3.) Are these worms relevant to today’s society?

ii. Definition of Quantitative Variables

Independent variable

Pupation is an essential process and the only way to obtain beetles for
breeding. I keep all stages of superworms at a temperature between 70- and
80-degrees Fahrenheit.

Dependent variable

Superworms need to be isolated completely in order to morph into a pupa.

Meaning that they cannot have access to any other animals, food, or water.
This can take anywhere from 7-21 days.

iii. Hypothesis (if applicable)

A superworm (zophobas morio) morphs faster in a cold environment because it

triggers a survival mechanism which allows them to turn into a beetle quicker and
fly away to a better environment.

iv. Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the exotic pet keeper’s community because it is one of
the main food source for their animals who only eat live foods and need large
amounts of protein to survive. This is also significant the waste disposal companies
who plan to eliminate waste plastics in landfills. Knowing the perfect conditions for
these animals is relevant to they can be a huge help for most of us who enjoy taking
care of exotic animals and beneficial to anyone because these worms are proven to
lessen the pollution by eating polystyrene which is not good for the environment

v. Scope and Delimitations of the study

The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether temperature affects the
pupation of a superworm and if so, what is the ideal temperature to keep them in
order to mass produce these animals.

d. Literature Review: (List at least 5 RRLs)

When ready to pupate, superworms curl inward, head to tail, and create
cocoons from silk that harden to a kind of protective shell. In the wild,
darkling beetle grubs pupate in the soil. The pupae appear to be resting
because they do not move or eat during this stage. Inside the cocoon, tissue
within the larvae begins to break down and reform into the organs and body
needed by that of an adult beetle. The metamorphic process of larva to pupa
takes about 10 to 14 days, and from pupa to emerging adult beetle, about
another two weeks. (Osborne et al., 2019)

The only thing they need is darkness and warm temperature (around 75-80°F
/ 24-26°C). To keep them dark is really important. If they are kept where it is
still light, they won’t start to pupate. Normally, the larva will tunnel
themselves in a piece of wood where they start to pupate. In the piece of
wood, it is dark and warm. It is important to simulate the same conditions.
(Thijs et al., 2021)

“We found the superworms fed a diet of just polystyrene not only survived,
but even had marginal weight gains,” Dr. Rinke said. “This suggests the
worms can derive energy from the polystyrene, most likely with the help of
their gut microbes.” The researchers used a technique called metagenomics
to find several encoded enzymes with the ability to degrade polystyrene and
styrene. The long-term goal is to engineer enzymes to degrade plastic waste
in recycling plants through mechanical shredding, followed by enzymatic
biodegradation. “Superworms are like mini recycling plants, shredding the
polystyrene with their mouths and then feeding it to the bacteria in their
gut,” Dr. Rinke said.

Despite not being the most nutritionally viable live feeders, superworm
feeders for baby bearded dragons and other lizards are easy to use. This is
because reptiles love them! The movement and size of superworms are eye-
catching, and the worms emit a smell that attracts reptiles. If you’re having
difficulty getting your lizard to eat other insects, you could try using
superworms for baby bearded dragons and other lizards to supplement their
diet. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a lizard that doesn’t quickly snap up a
superworm that has been left in its enclosure. (Ddadmin et al., 2021)
The fact that the superworms were able to gain a small amount of weight
from eating polystyrene exclusively is an indication that they're able to
convert the material into energy (Rinke et al., 2022)

e. Methodology: (Present the proposed procedures)

In this study, the researchers are going to use the quantitative approach.
This study is going to be specific about determining whether these captive
bred worms demonstrate a difference in time where they harden and turn
into a pupa then eventually, a beetle. The researchers are going to use the
experimental method where the researchers are going to move the worms into
separate containers and will be subjected to different living conditions. After
separating the subjects and setting up their enclosures, the researchers are
then going to use the quantitative approach to record and compare when the
worms emerge from their cocoons.
f. References: Follow APA 7th format
Abouchacra, Z. (2021, December 8. Learning: Competencies, Objectives, or
Outcomes? D2L.

Scientists Discover “Superworms” Capable of Munching Through Plastic

Waste. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-
discover-superworms-capable-of-munching-through-plastic-waste/

Styrofoam Facts — Why You May Want To Bring Your Own Cup. Retrieved
October 13, 2022 from
https://www.sej.org/publications/backgrounders/styrofoam-facts-why-you-
may-want-bring-your-own-cup#:~:text=around%20500%20years.-,One
%20common%20estimate%20is%20that%20styrofoam%20can%20take
%20up%2030,put%20it%20way%20beyond%20that.

Breeding Superworms: A guide to raising and breeding superworms. Retrieved

October 13, 2022, from
https://geckotime.com/how-to-breed-superworms/#:~:text=Pupation%20is%20an
%20essential%20process,70%20and%2080%20degrees%20Fahrenheit.

Isolating superworms for breeding: Retrieved October 13, 2022, from

https://www.jerseyworms.com/blogs/news/breeding-
superworms#:~:text=Superworms%20turn%20into%20pupa%20and,to%20morph
%20into%20a%20pupa.

Superworm Life Cycle Retrieved October 13, 2022, from

https://sciencing.com/superworm-life-cycle-5347598.html

How To Breed Superworms: Complete Practical Guide Retrieved

October 13, 2022, from https://keepingbugs.com/how-to-breed-
superworms-complete-practical-guide/
Superworm feeders for lizards maximizing nutrition for your reptile Retrieved
October 13, 2022, from https://dubiadust.com/2021/02/08/superworm-
feeders-for-lizards-maximizing-nutrition-for-your-reptile/#:~:text=From
%20baby%20geckos%20and%20skinks,tasty%20treats%20for%20your
%20lizards.

'Superworms' survive solely on polystyrene, as researchers look to create

plastic recycling technology Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-06-10/superworm-eats-
polystyrene-has-recycling-potential/101128630