Metabolic cost of ventilating movements in pupae of Tenebrio molitor and Galleria mellonella studied by direct calorimetry

Abstract

The energetic cost of periodically occurring rhythmic body movements in pupae of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor and the wax moth Galleria mellonella was estimated by the use of direct calorimetry. The motions affect tracheal ventilation and/or accelerate hemolymph circulation. The contribution of muscular activity to the total specific heat production rate in 46 to 52 h old pupae of Tenebrio molitor and Galleria mellonella was 1.24% and 0.9%, respectively. The energetic cost of stereotyped body motions serving diverse functions formed a negligible part (less than 3%) of the total energy consumed during pupal development.