Respiration rhythms and heartbeats of diapausing Colorado potato beetles, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, at low temperatures
Corresponding Author
Alo Vanatoa
*Correspondence: E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAare Kuusik
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorUrmas Tartes
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorLuule Metspalu
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorKülli Hiiesaar
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Alo Vanatoa
*Correspondence: E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAare Kuusik
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorUrmas Tartes
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorLuule Metspalu
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorKülli Hiiesaar
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGCs), active muscular ventilation, microcycles of repetitive openings, and heartbeats of diapausing adult Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), were studied at low temperatures (0, 5, and 10 °C) using an electrolytic respirometer combined with an infrared actograph. The DGC of the adult constriction-flutter-open type was the main respiration mode in fully quiescent beetles at temperatures from 5 to 10 °C. The CO2 bursts were actively ventilated at temperatures above 5 °C. During the flutter period, a series of microcycles appeared, but no muscular contractions associated with the microcycles were detected. We identified this respiration mode as discontinuous suction ventilation.
The hydration condition of the beetles did not influence the frequency of the gas exchange cycles, but dehydrated beetles showed significantly longer flutter periods and shorter ventilation periods than hydrated beetles. The heartbeat frequencies were influenced by both temperature and hydration status.
We conclude from the results that DGCs are used at rest in adult L. decemlineata under various environmental conditions and also at low temperatures. Our results showed that DGCs are the main respiration mode of resting adult Colorado potato beetle irrespective of its hydration state and temperature. Our method resolves O2 uptake and subsequent CO2 release in flutter and ventilation periods and shows that diffusion is replaced by convection to reduce water loss in adult beetles.
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