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Journal of Experimental Biology 57,285-296 (1972)
Published by Company of Biologists 1972

Water Relations in an Insect, Thermobia Domestica : II. Relationships between Water Content, Water Uptake from Infsaturated Atmospheres and Water Loss

A. Y. K. OKASHA ¹

¹ School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NOR 88C; Department of Zoology, University of Assiut, Assiut, Egypt

1. The percentage water content of Thermobia can be increased by starvation.

2. After desiccation (3 days in dry air) the water content of starved insects is still above normal; yet such insects will take up water from a infsaturated atmosphere (83% R.H.).

3. The rate of water loss into dry air from starved insects is not dependent upon water content.

4. Both water content and rate of water loss remain constant throughout the moulting cycle.

5. In general terms the uptake mechanism is not dependent upon water content.

6. Severe starvation before desiccation seems to impair or inhibit the uptake mechanism.