Metabolic strategies of Morimus funereus larvae during thermal stress

Abstract

1. 1. The system of responses in Morimus funereus larvae to the effect of temperatures, diets and type of environment have been studied with respect to metabolic changes and gain in body wt. 2. 2. The temperatures provoke remarkable changes in metabolic parameters in the larvae from natural habitat and are dependent upon diet. 3. 3. During the intermoult period of 6th instar larvae the temperature of 35°C provokes significant decreases in metabolic parameters at the beginning of the exposure, however after a 7 day exposure the metabolic parameters (except the midgut amylase) return to the control level. 4. 4. It was concluded that the outcome of thermal stress in M. funereus larvae was dependent upon diet, developmental phase and type of environment.