Studies on the importance of nest temperature of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. et Schiff.) (Lepidoptera, Thaumetopoeidae)
1990
Breuer, M. (Hannover Univ. (Germany, F.R.). Dept. of Zoology-Entomology) | Devkota, B.
The thermoeconomy of nests of the 5th instar larvae of Thaumetopoea pityocampa was studied under laboratory conditions. Measurements over a period of several days showed an up and down in the inner temperature corresponding to the activities of the caterpillars. As the animals left the nest, the temperature inside the nest decreased quickly below than that of the surroundings, which is explained as an effect of transpiration. When the caterpillars returned to the nest, the temperature increased to a maximum value of about 1,5 degrees C over that of the surroundings. This rise in temperature is contributed by the biogenic heat production. Using an infrared lamp as light and heat source, the inner temperature of the nest was measured which rose very high. Although the nest temperature was above 32 degrees C neither the caterpillars came out nor a higher mortality could be observed. After switching the lamp off, as contributed by the web insulation and the aggregation of caterpillars, a storing of thermal energy could be recorded for several hours. As evidenced by the present and earlier studies, a great role of web thickness and solar energy on the development of pine processsionary caterpillar could be revealed
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