Hatching success of eggs of Hexagenia bilineata (ephemeroptera) exposed to brief thermal shock

Abstract

1. 1.|Hatching of Hexagenia bilineata eggs was significantly reduced after brief exposure (5–15 min) to above-ambient temperature (⩾ 33° C) during oviposition. 2. 2.|Comparison of eggs shocked during oviposition with eggs shocked 2 h afterwards indicates that the gametes or some step in the ferlization process may be affected. 3. 3.|Survival of nymphs hatching from eggs exposed to 43°C for 10 min during oviposition was significantly lowered, pointing to a latent effect of increased temperature.