Effects of Carbon Dioxide Anesthesia on the House Cricket, Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Abstract

Experiments with the house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L.) showed that serial closes of carbon dioxide for anesthetic purposes are possible without the retardation of growth previously reported by Brooks (1957, J. Insect Physiol. 1: 76) provided the percent of carbon dioxide is at 40% or lower. There is evidence that oxygen is important in preventing retardation at 60% carbon dioxide concentration. Maturation, longevity, heartbeat, and abdominal contractions also were included in the investigation. Possible modes of action of carbon dioxide are discussed.