EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY

Eur. J. Entomol. 101 (2): 219-225, 2004

Patterns in abdominal pumping, miniature inspirations and heartbeats simultaneously recorded during cyclical gas exchange in adult Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using a respirometer and IR actographs

Ivar SIBUL¹, Aare KUUSIK², Kaljo VOOLMA³

¹ Faculty of Forestry, Estonian Agricultural University, Kreutzwaldi 5, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: isibul@eau.ee

² Institute of Plant Protection, Estonian Agricultural University, Kreutzwaldi 64, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia

³ Forest Research Institute, Estonian Agricultural University, Kreutzwaldi 5, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia

Rhythms in abdominal pumping, heartbeats and discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGCs) of CFV subtype (closed, flutter and ventilation periods) in adults of pine weevil Hylobius abietis were simultaneously recorded using an electrolytic microrespirometer and an infrared (IR) cardiograph or IR actograph (IRA). The cyclic release of carbon dioxide was associated with active ventilation (V phase) provided by vigorous abdominal pumping movements due to contractions of tonic longitudinal and transversal abdominal muscles, which are visible to the naked eye. On the IRA-recordings, the abdominal pumping signals are superimposed on the heartbeat spikes. The relative amplitude of the abdominal pumping signals on these recordings is more than 10 times greater than that of the heart beats. Visual observations showed that the subelytral cavity appeared to be closed during the release of carbon dioxide and open at other times. The flutter (F) of the CFV cycle is characterised by active miniature inspirations or ventilations before the V period. The miniature ventilation movements were imperceptible to the naked eye, but were recorded on the respirometer-actigraph as clear spikes. In addition, movements of the tip of the abdomen, of between 10-20 mm were seen under a stereomicroscope at a magnification of 40×. Some cycles were categorized as (C)FV cycles, when the C period disappears into the end of the V period. Abdominal pumping and miniature inspirations were clearly synchronized with the CFV cycles. Abdominal pumping movements, miniature inspirations or ventilations and heartbeats in adult H. abietis were distinguishable when recordings of the electrolytic microrespirometer-actograph and IRA were made in parallel. These three events were recognized by their different amplitudes and frequencies. It is presumed that abdominal pumping and miniature inspirations in adult H. abietis are obligatory rhythmic movements of different function and origin.

Keywords: Abdominal pumping, CFV and CFO cycles, discontinuous gas exchange cycles, active ventilation, respiration, heartbeats, Hylobius abietis, Curculionidae

Received: June 25, 2003; Revised: January 5, 2004; Accepted: February 10, 2004; Published: June 25, 2004  Show citation