Biology Class 12 Investigatory Project

ST JOSEPH SCHOOL CBSE
BANGALORE
Biology
Investigatory Project
Name: Andreev Sequeira

Class: 12A
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Andreev Sequeira a student of class XI - A
has successfully completed the research on a project entitled.”
To study the life cycle of housefly and cockroach” under the
guidance of ..................................... (Subject teacher) during the
year 2024-25 in partial fulfillment of a biology investigatory
project conducted by CBSE
signature of principal signature of biology teacher

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my gratitude to Ms.Gincy, for her/his

able guidance and support in completing my Biology project. I
would also like to extend my gratitude to my principal &
coordinator for providing me with all the required facilities.
Lastly, I would also like to thank my parents and friends without
whose moral support I would not have been able to complete
this portfolio
INDEX
1. Introduction
2. AIM OF EXPERIMENTS
3. Apparatus
4. Procedure
5. Observation
6. Result
Introduction
In the vast tapestry of the natural world, insects play a

crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and
serving as essential components of various ecosystems.
Among the myriad insect species, cockroaches and
houseflies stand out as common yet fascinating
creatures, often sharing our living spaces. This written
project delves into the captivating life cycles of these
two insects, shedding light on their developmental
stages, behavioral patterns, and the ecological
significance they hold.
h
AIM OF EXPERIMENTS
1.To show the life cycle of a housefly
2.To show the life cycle of a cockroach

EXPERIMENT 1
Materials required: preserved specimens of different
developmental stages of housefly, notebook, pen etc.
Experimental Procedure
Get the preserved specimens of the different developmental

stages of houseflies and observe them carefully noting it down
in the notebook
Observations
Adult Housefly(Musca Nebula).
The housefly exhibits a well-adapted anatomical structure
suited for its ecological niche and lifestyle. They have a grey
body and can grow up to 7-8mm long when fully grown.
Anatomy of the Housefly:
Head:
• Compound Eyes: Houseflies have large compound eyes that provide
them with a wide field of vision, enabling them to detect motion and
navigate their surroundings.
• Antennae: The housefly's antennae are short and bristle-like, serving
as sensory organs for detecting odors and other environmental cues.
• Mouthparts: Houseflies possess sponging mouthparts that allow
them to feed on liquids. They regurgitate digestive juices onto solid
food, liquefying it, and then suck up the resulting liquid.
Thorax:
• Wings: Houseflies have two membranous wings that allow them to
fly. Their flight is characterized by rapid and agile movements,
making them adept at avoiding predators and finding food sources.
• Legs: The housefly has six legs, each equipped with small claws for
gripping surfaces. These legs play a crucial role in walking, climbing,
and manipulating food.
Abdomen:
• Abdominal Segments: The abdomen of the housefly is segmented
and contains vital organs, including the reproductive system and
digestive tract.
• Ovipositor: Female houseflies have an ovipositor, a tube-like
structure used for depositing eggs in suitable environments.
Housefly Growth Cycle:
The life cycle of a housefly, scientifically known as Musca domestica, is a complex and
fascinating process that consists of four stages: egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult.
1. Egg Stage: The life cycle begins when a female housefly lays
eggs. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime. The
eggs are typically laid in decaying organic matter, such as
garbage, manure, or other decomposing substances. The eggs are
tiny, white, and oval-shaped.
2. Larval Stage (Maggot): Upon hatching from the eggs,
housefly larvae, commonly known as maggots, emerge. Maggots are
legless, cylindrical, and pale white in color. They possess mouth hooks for
feeding on organic matter and are highly efficient at breaking down and
consuming decaying material. The larval stage is crucial for nutrient
acquisition and growth.
3. Pupal Stage: After the larval stage, the housefly enters the pupal
stage. The pupa is enclosed in a hard, brown case known as the puparium.
Inside this protective casing, the larva undergoes metamorphosis,
transforming into the adult fly. This stage is a period of rapid development
and internal restructuring.
4. Adult Stage: The mature housefly emerges from the puparium

as a fully formed adult. The adult housefly has distinctive features,
including compound eyes, two functional wings, and six legs. The entire life
cycle, from egg to adult, can be completed in as little as seven to ten days
under optimal conditions
LARVAL STAGE EGG STAGE
PUPAL STAGE ADULT STAGE
EXPERIMENT FULL
2 CYCLE OF HOUSE FLY
Materials required: preserved
specimens of different
developmental stages of
Cockroaches, notebooks, pen, etc.
Experimental Procedure
Get the preserved specimens of the
different developmental stages of
Cockroaches and observe them carefully
noting it down in the notebook
Observations
Anatomy of the Cockroach:
1. Head:
• Antennae: Cockroaches have long and segmented antennae that
serve as highly sensitive sensory organs, helping them navigate their
environment and detect changes in air currents.
• Compound Eyes: Like houseflies, cockroaches have compound eyes
that offer a broad field of vision, aiding in the detection of predators
and locating potential food sources.
• Mouthparts: Cockroaches possess chewing mouthparts adapted for
a diverse diet, allowing them to consume a wide range of organic
matter.
2. Thorax:
• Wings: Adult cockroaches typically have two pairs of wings, with the
forewings (tegmina) serving as protective covers for the hindwings.
Some species are capable fliers, while others have wings that are
reduced or non-functional.
• Legs: Cockroaches have six legs, each equipped with claws for
gripping surfaces. Their legs are well-adapted for running and
climbing.
3. Abdomen:
• Abdominal Segments: The abdomen of a cockroach is segmented
and houses important organs, including the digestive and
reproductive systems.
• Ovipositor: Female cockroaches have an ovipositor for depositing
eggs. Unlike the external egg cases of some insects, cockroach eggs
are protected within the ootheca until they hatch.
Cockroach Growth Cycle:
Cockroaches, belonging to the order Blattodea, have a life cycle consisting of three primary
stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
1. Egg Stage: The life cycle begins when a female cockroach deposits
oothecae, protective egg cases, in hidden and sheltered locations. Each
ootheca contains numerous eggs. Over time, the eggs develop within the
ootheca until they are ready to hatch.
2. Nymph Stage: Upon hatching, young cockroaches, called nymphs,

emerge from the ootheca. Nymphs resemble miniature versions of adults
but lack fully developed wings and reproductive organs. They undergo a
series of molts, shedding their exoskeletons to accommodate growth. The
number of molts varies among species, but it is typically around 5 to 14
times, depending on the cockroach species.
3. Adult Stage: After completing the molting process, nymphs reach

maturity and become fully developed adults. Adult cockroaches have a
robust exoskeleton, two pairs of wings, and six jointed legs. The wings of
cockroaches vary among species; some are capable fliers, while others
have reduced or non-functional wings. Cockroaches are known for their
resilience and adaptability, thriving in various environments.
RESULT
Our extensive study delving into the life cycles of houseflies and
cockroaches yielded noteworthy insights. Houseflies, characterized by their
swift reproduction, completed their life cycle from egg to adult within
days, underscoring their remarkable fecundity.
In contrast, cockroaches exhibited a robust yet slower life cycle,
progressing through distinct egg, nymph, and adult stages.
This dichotomy in life cycle dynamics unveils the adaptive strategies of
these ubiquitous insects, providing valuable contributions to our
comprehension of their ecological roles and survival mechanisms across
diverse environments. Such findings deepen our appreciation for the
intricacies of insect life cycles and their pivotal ecological significance.

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ST JOSEPH SCHOOL CBSE

Name: Andreev Sequeira

signature of principal signature of biology teacher

I would like to express my gratitude to Ms.Gincy, for her/his

In the vast tapestry of the natural world, insects play a

1.To show the life cycle of a housefly

2.To show the life cycle of a cockroach

Get the preserved specimens of the different developmental

4. Adult Stage: The mature housefly emerges from the puparium

PUPAL STAGE ADULT STAGE

2. Nymph Stage: Upon hatching, young cockroaches, called nymphs,

3. Adult Stage: After completing the molting process, nymphs reach

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