WATER UPTAKE IN EGGS OF CAMNULA PELLUCIDA (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE) AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO EMBRYOGENESIS

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  • RPR. Pickford
    R. Pickford
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Abstract
Water uptake and embryogenesis were investigated in eggs of Camnula pellucida (Scudd.) kept under a variety of conditions. Under both laboratory and field conditions eggs take in no water for several weeks after oviposition while embryonic growth progresses; then slowly a little water is absorbed as anatrepsis is completed. Following the breaking of diapause by chilling, eggs incubated at 30 °C in the laboratory rapidly take in water; embryonic growth resumes, blastokinesis rapidly takes place, and hatching occurs in about 10 days. In a natural habitat, however, eggs take in most of their required moisture shortly after the snow melts; during this time no embryonic development takes place, presumably because temperatures are too low. As temperatures rise embryonic growth resumes, with hatchlings emerging sooner or later, depending upon seasonal temperatures.Eggs laid late in the season show little or no embryonic development and most seem unable to survive the winter.

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