Waxworms'+bodies

Investigation 2, Lesson 3: Waxworm Larva’s bodies

Materials:
 * Waxworms
 * Cups for each student
 * Hand lenses

Learning Target:
 * I can describe what waxworms' bodies look like, and name some parts of their bodies.

Procedure:
 * Tell the class you will be making a whole-class sketch of a waxworm larva’s body. Ask how you should start. What shape should it be? What else does it need on its body?
 * Get into some disagreements, such as how many segments the body has, or where the legs go. Leave these blank on the drawing.
 * Send students back to observe the waxworms and discover the answers to some of these problems. Encourage them to talk to people at their tables about what they see.
 * Things to notice:
 * There are 13 segments in a waxworm larva’s body.
 * There are 6 legs, which are on the three segments after the head.
 * Spiracles are the tiny dots on the sides of the larvae. They allow air to pass in and out of their bodies. They don’t have lungs.
 * The larvae have tiny **bristles** that help them feel.
 * They have 8 suction cup legs on the four abdominal segments. These are called **prolegs**.
 * They have **claspers** on the last segment. They are shaped like the prolegs.
 * Return to the rug and add to your drawing, including everything the students have noticed.
 * Share any other observations and add to class chart of waxworms.