Enzymatic capacity for accumulation of polyol cryoprotectants changes during diapause development in the adult red firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus

Abstract

Abstract. Diapausing adults of the red firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, were maintained in the laboratory at constant conditions of 20 °C and short days (LD 12 : 12 h) for 5 months. Spontaneous termination of diapause is seen in 0.4% of adults. At different times of diapause development, groups of adults were exposed to an 8‐week gradual cold treatment ending at 0 °C. Ribitol and sorbitol contents remain very low at constant 20 °C and their rapid accumulation only occurrs at temperatures below 5 °C. The capacity to accumulate ribitol in response to low temperature stimulus remains relatively stable but the capacity to accumulate sorbitol decreases to zero during the 5 months of diapause development. Glycogen (whole‐body and fat‐body reserves) accumulates relatively rapidly during the early phase (up to 1–2 months) and slowly depletes during the late phase of diapause development under constant conditions. Upon cold treatment, part of the glycogen reserve was depleted. The activities of most enzymes involved in polyol metabolism (namely glycogen phosphorylase, glucose‐6‐P dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, aldose reductase, polyol dehydrogenase and ketose reductase) increase relatively rapidly during the early phase of diapause development and, in the late phase, they either become stable or slowly decrease. Cold treatment has either no effect or results in a moderate increase in activity when applied in the early phase of diapause development but results in a more or less obvious decrease of enzymatic activity when applied in the late phase.