Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 4:30 PM
490

Survival of giant water bug embryos in suboptimal conditions (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae)

Christine L. Goforth and Robert L. Smith. Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, 1140 E South Campus Drive, Tucson, AZ 85721

While the paternal care behaviors of belostomatids are well characterized, there is little known about belostomatid embryos and how brooding contributes to their survival. Belostomatid embryos left unattended die, so brooding is necessary for their development. For this experiment, we simulated two dangers belostomatid eggs may be exposed to, submersion and desiccation. Fresh eggs were collected from the back-brooding species Abedus herberti and the emergent-brooding species Lethocerus medius. Eggs from both species were submerged in water or left in air, then removed at several intervals throughout the course of development and allowed to continue developing under simulated normal conditions. Lethocerus embryos were much more resistant to desiccation than those of Abedus, but were more susceptible to drowning. However, both species required both water and oxygen for survival to eclosion; brooding apparently balances these two necessities. Additionally, the oxygen and/or water requirements of belostomatid embryos are apparently low enough for most of development that brooding is not necessary until late in development. This suggests that embryos receive some yet unknown benefit from brooding, males may waste energy brooding throughout embryonic development, or brooding behaviors may help contribute to the survival of the father as well as the embryos.


Web Page: giant water bugs, embryonic development, brooding

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