Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (1985) 37, 89-94

P. Roessingh, E.A. Bernays and A.C. Lewis (1985)
Physiological factors influencing preference for wet and dry food in Schistocerca gregaria nymphs
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 37 (1), 89-94
Abstract: The physiological factors responsible for behavioral regulation of water balance by differential feeding in Schistocerca gregaria were investigated. Locusts given the option to regulate their water intake by feeding on high-water content (wet) food, or low-water content (dry) food had values for percent body water and hemolymph volumes intermediate between those for locusts given either food exclusively. Locusts given wet food only prior to no-choice tests had relatively small meals and long latencies to feed on wet food and large meals and short latencies to feed on dry food. Increasing volume by adding 75 µl normal saline did not alter meal size on either food, while locusts given dry food prior to testing had the opposite behavior. Increasing hemolymph concentration led to smaller meals on both wet and dry food, but diluting the hemolymph by an equal volume of distilled water resulted in larger meals on dry food and smaller meals on wet food. Removing an equal volume of hemolymph had no effect, but combining hemolymph removal with increased osmotic pressure reduced the meal size on dry food and increased meal size on wet food.
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Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Schistocerca gregaria