Eur. J. Entomol. 91 (3): 307-312, 1994
Supercooling ability, fat and water contents in diapausing tropical beetle, Stenotarsus rotundus (Coleoptera: Endomychidae)
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Traits of the diapause syndrome in the tropical beetle Stenotarsus rotundus were studied by measuring the supercooling point (SCP), and water and fat contents of the beetles in the period from deep diapause through to their activation. Diapausing beetles utilized. body fat and accumulated water, the utilization rate being very low in untreated beetles and high in those treated with juvenile hormone analogue. Physiological and behavioural mechanisms were found to be involved in adaptation against drought.
SCP remained almost unchanged from December through February, at a level normal in diapausing insects from the temperate regions (-13°C). In April, after the termination of diapause, SCP rose to -7°C. Thus a decrease in the SCP seems to be a widespread trait of diapause syndrome, not restricted to temperate insects, and not necessarily connected with true cold tolerance.
Keywords: Ecophysiology, supercooling point, water content, fat content, diapause, Stenotarsus rotundus, Coleoptera, Endomychidae, Panama
Accepted: February 11, 1994; Published: August 5, 1994 Show citation
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