Suppression of net transpiration by multiple mechanisms conserves water resources during pupal diapause in the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea

Abstract

AbstractOne critical aspect of an insect's ability to overwinter successfully is the effective management of its water resources. Maintenance of adequate water levels during winter is challenging because of the prevailing low relative humidity at that time of year and the short supply of environmental water that is not in the form of ice. These issues are further exacerbated for insects overwintering as pupae, comprising an immobile stage that is unable to move to new microhabitats if conditions deteriorate. The present study compares the water balance attributes of diapausing and nondiapausing pupae of the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea Boddie, aiming to identify the mechanisms used by diapausing pupae to maintain water balance during winter. Diapausing pupae are 10% larger than nondiapausing individuals. Water loss rates for nondiapausing pupae are low (0.21 mg h−1) and are suppressed (0.01 mg h−1) in diapausing pupae. Cuticular lipids, which serve to waterproof the cuticle and thus suppress cuticular water loss, are more than two‐fold more abundant on the surface of diapausing pupae, and oxygen consumption rates during diapause drop to almost one‐third the rate observed in nondiapausing pupae. Water gain can be accomplished only when atmospheric water content is near saturation or during contact with free water. At moderate relative humidities (20–40%), water loss rates are very low for diapausing pupae, suggesting that these moth pupae have robust mechanisms for combating water loss. The exceptional ability of H. zea to suppress water loss during diapause is probably a result of the combined effects of increased size, more abundant cuticular lipids and decreased metabolic rates.