Respiratory metabolism during embryogenesis of a diapause species of field cricket, Gryllus pennsylvanicus Burmeister (Orthoptera, Gryllidae)

Abstract

During the embryonic development of Gryllus pennsylvanicus the rate of respiration continues rising until the fifth day, after which the rate falls off to about one-ninth on the tenth day. This value is maintained for a further period of 10 days. In the post-diapause embryos the rate of oxygen consumption rises continuously throughout the entire period of development. The studies reveal that the diapause in G. pennsylvanicus is obligatory and that the embryos enter a complete diapause condition after the tenth day of incubation at 28°C. The post-diapause embryos take 3 days to reach the maximum rate of respiration of the pre-diapause period.