Chlorine Dioxide - Wax Worm Lethality

From 3-17-15.

Performed another ClO2 gas / wax worm exposure. This time using three different concentrations of ClO2 gas. I would like to know the extent to which the wax worms are susceptible to the chlorine dioxide gas, so I will use relatively low concentration this time. Last time, on the 3-17-15 post, I used a relatively high concentration of about 3 grams total weight. Fifteen wax worms were placed into a small container and exposed to a total weight of 10 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg of chlorine dioxide gas reagents.Below is an image of the size and condition of the wax worms that were used in this experiment:

Fifteen wax worms in the container with a 925 mL volume

The ClO2 reagents were mixed inside of PCR tubes that had been modified with several small holes in them. The holes were made in the PCR tubes by heating up an inoculating needle using a Bunsen burner and passing the needle through the tube. An image of what the tube looked like after the holes were made is below (albeit hard to see):

Holes in PCR tube

A total of six holes were made in each PCR tube (4 on the side and two in the cap). After the reagents were both added to the tube it was briefly shaken and placed inside in the middle of the container hosting the wax worms. The smaller holes in the PCR tube will prevent the wax worms from coming into direct contact with the reagents and still allow the gas to leave the tube and fill the container.

The containers with the wax worms were closed using their lids and sealed using Parafilm. They were stored at room temperature protected from light. I will check the survival of the wax worms after 24 hours of exposure.

//EWW