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Compensation by locusts for changes in dietary nutrients: behavioural mechanisms
Author(s) -
SIMPSON S. J.,
ABISGOLD J. D.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1985.tb00066.x
Subject(s) - biology , nutrient , nymph , instar , insect , dietary protein , carbohydrate , feeding behavior , food intake , zoology , food science , ecology , endocrinology , biochemistry , larva
. The detailed behavioural mechanisms underlying an instance of compensation for changes in dietary nutrients are described for the first time in an insect. Nymphs of Locusta migratoria L. were given one of four artificial diets on the third day of the fifth instar, and their feeding patterns recorded in detail for 12 h. The diets represented combinations of two protein and two digestible carbohydrate levels (28% and 14% dry weight) presented in an otherwise complete nutrient mix. At the nutrient levels used, locusts regulated their intake of food with respect to protein but not digestible carbohydrate in the diet. They ate more of the lower protein diets by eating the same sized meals more frequently than insects fed on the higher protein diets. Compensation was not complete over the 12 h observation period: insects on the lower‐protein diets ingested and absorbed 72% as much nitrogen as those insects fed on the higher‐protein diets. Possible physiological mechanisms underlying the behavioural mechanisms are discussed.