MAR 98-073

The Effects of Variable Gravity on the Life Cycle of Tenebrio Molitor
Amy M. Davis, 2172 Lyndway Rd., Beachwood, OH 44122. amy@stratos.net

A comparative study to elucidate the effects of low, normal, and high gravity on the life cycle of Tenebrio molitor was performed. Tenebrio molitor in their larvae stage were exposed to approximately 1.5 G and 2.0 G at High Inertial Rotation Behemoth (“HIRB”) centrifuge at Clarkson University. Tenebrio molitor in their larvae stage experienced short duration exposure to approximately 0.0 G on NASA’s DC-9 performing parabolic flight trajectories. Tenebrio molitor exposed to approximately 2.0 G and 1.5 G first reproduced 87 days after exposure to high gravity. A high gravity control group that stayed at NASA and a transportation control group that traveled to Clarkson University, but was not centrifuged first reproduced one day later. In a small sample of Tenebrio molitor that experienced parabolic flight trajectories, after 16 days, 50% reached their adult stage of metamorphosis, compared with 80% of the control group. In conclusion, a prolonged period of high gravity had little effect on the life cycle of the Tenebrio molitor. However, the decreased maturation of larva exposed to low gravity for short intervals of time warrants further investigation.