ISSN:
0362-2525
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
The literature on the general subject of freezing and survival both in plants and in animals is briefly reviewed and a bibliography given. Insects representing three ecological groups, (1) the oak borers - exposed to temperature extremes normally; (2) stored-products insects representing supposedly a tropical or subtropical group, and, (3) aquatic insects never exposed to temperatures lower than 0°C., were chosen for this study. Determinations of the freezing and undercooling points were made during the yearly cycle.Both the stored-products insects and the aquatic insects studied showed no periodicity in freezing or undercooling. The oak borers showed marked periodicity. The freezing-point varies directly with the moisture content. Cold-hardiness was produced experimentally by, (1) exposure of insects to low temperatures and, (2) by dehydration. Loss of cold-hardiness was produced experimentally by combinations of high temperature, food, and high relative humidity. The freezing-point ordinarily found corresponds with that of the blood. Repeated freezings of the same insect or tissue showed no hysteresis. There exists in certain insects a secondary freezing-point below that ordinarily found. Oak borers in summer condition die at the first freezing-point; in fully hardened condition they die at the secondary freezingpoint.
Additional Material:
8 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1050430209
