Heat Dissipation of Flying Wax Moths (Galleria Mellonella) Measured by Means of Direct Calorimetry

Abstract

Heat production rates and flight speed of adult wax moths (Galleria mellonella) were investigated by means of direct calorimetry at TA=20 and 30°C. Specific heat production rates were not significantly different between males and females at TA=20°C (pTH=747±123.7 mW g-1, n=5 for males and pTH=791±169 mW g-1, n=5 for females) even with females having a higher body mass (MB=83.8±21.6 mg, n=9 for males and MB=146.4±25.7 mg, n=11 for females) and wing load. In females, heat production rates were dependent on temperature with higher heat production rates at TA=20°C (pTH=791±169 mW g-1, n=5) than at TA=30°C (pTH=441±74 mW g-1, n=6). Flight speed was also clearly correlated with TA. Both males and females flew more slowly at TA=20 than at 30°C.