Name: ______________________________________________

Investigation: Habitat Selection in Flour Beetles

Overview

In this laboratory, you will observe the behavior of an insect and design
an experiment to investigate its responses to environmental variables.

Objectives

After doing this laboratory you should be able to measure the effects of environmental variables on habitat
selection in a controlled experiment.

Pre-Lab Questions

1. What is meant by an environmental variable?

2. What is meant by habitat selection?

3. Provide two examples of variables you could test with any animal study.

Examine sample data from an experiment on pillbug. The pillbugs were placed in the choice chamber, 5 on
each side. They were then observed for 10 minutes and the number on each side was recorded.

4. Graph the data shown and write a brief SUMMARY of what the data shows about pillbug behavior.

Time # In Wet # In Dry

(minutes) Chamber Chamber
0 5 5
1 5 5
2 6 4
3 6 4
4 6 4
5 7 3
6 7 3
7 8 2
8 8 2
9 9 1
10 10 0

DATA SUMMARY:
Conduct Your Experiment
Choose the variable you want to test from the following options. (Choose ONE)

a) Wet vs Dry b) Water vs Vinegar c) Sand vs Paper d) Light Vs Dark

5. Write a HYPOTHESIS about what environmental condition will be preferred by your specimen. Write the
hypothesis as a complete sentence.

Experiment Set-Up

For this lab, you will use flour beetles. Set up your choice
chambers to test the variable of your choice. Generally, filter
paper or paper towels can be used to test chemicals such as
alcohol and vinegar. Your instructor will have the materials
you need. Each side of the chamber should have a different
variable.

6. Label the diagram to show how yours is set up.

7. Collect Data: You will need to collect data for at least 10 minutes. A graph will not be necessary this time

Time Side L Side R

0 Min
1 Min
2 Min
3 Min
4 Min
5 Min
6 Min
7 Min
8 Min
9 Min
10 Min

8. Summarize Data: Examine the data you collected and write a statement that summarizes the data and
answers the experimental question (hypothesis.) This statement should be a complete and thoughtful
sentence that is supported by the data you gathered.
Instructor Notes:

Choice Chambers available form Amazon or Carolina Biological Supply Company (

http://amzn.to/2m5xopW)

Cut filter paper in matching shapes to save time. You can just soak the filter paper before putting it into cage.
Also, paper towels that aren’t flush with containers will likely result in the animals crawling under them.

Students may need additional assistance with drawing the graph on the first page, I recommend a bar graph
with colors indicated numbers on the wet and the dry side.

Other animals can be used, I maintain a mealworm colony in my class to feed lizards and turtles. The adult
beetles perform well in this experiment. You could potentially substitute crickets or have students collect
pillbugs. I didn’t find the larval mealworms to be very good in this experiment, they seem to have limited
senses and do not move very quickly.

Beetles in choice chambers. Filter paper allows for changing habitat properties.

Advance Placement Biology Students do a version of this lab.

https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/animal_behavior_lab.html