豫西刺槐能源林的热值动态

对豫西丘陵区5个无性系刺槐苗期的不同器官的干重热值、去灰分热值和灰分含量及生长量和生物量进行了测定。结果表明:5个无性系刺槐苗期的生长节律不同和各器官的积累速度不同,最后一季干物质量排序为3-I＞83002＞84023＞8044＞8048;5个无性系刺槐苗期的各器官中干重热值和去灰分热值的排序存在差异,8044的叶和枝的干重热值和去灰分热值平均最大,分别为19.31、21.18 kJ/g和18.00、19.39 kJ/g,8048干的干重热值和83002干的去灰分热值平均最大,分别为18.72、19.12 kJ/g,83002皮的干重热值和去灰分热值平均最大,分别为17.77、19.29 kJ/g。整体上标准木单位质量的干重热值表现为先升后降,83002、3-I、84023的生长潜能大,单位面积上的热值表现为无性系83002、3-I、84023最大。     

Carbon, nitrogen and caloric content of eggs, larvae, and juveniles of the walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma

Measurements of dry weight (wt), carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and calories were made on walleye pollock eggs (0.24 mg, 35.3% C, 8.3% N, and 4.6 kcal g⁻¹ dry wt), larvae (0.16 g, 42.9% C, 11.1% N and 5.1 kcal g⁻¹ dry wt) and juveniles (22.4 g, 47.2% C, 9.0% N and 5.6 kcal g⁻¹ dry wt). For juvenile fish (9–360 g wet wt) the measured values were related to dry weight and Fulton's condition factor index (CFI) by regression models. The CFI was a better predictor of body composition than dry weight. As CFI improved from a minimum starvation level of 0.42 to a maximum of 1.16, body caloric content, percentage C, and the C/N ratio increased (kcal g⁻¹ dry wt = 4.4 CFI + 1.7, percentage carbon = 49.7 CFI^0.5, C/N ratio = 5.0 CFI + 0.9), while percentage N and percentage ash decreased (percentage N =−3.5 CFI + 12.1; percentage ash = 9.1 CFI^−1.4). The results of this study suggest that seasonal C, N and caloric content of young pollock can be estimated from measurements of Fulton's condition factor index.     

Japanese oak silkmoth feeding preference for and performance on upper-crown and lower-crown leaves

We quantified differences in leaf traits between upper and lower crowns of a deciduous oak, Quercus acutissima, and examined feeding preference, consumption and performance of the Japanese oak silkmoth, Antheraea yamamai, for those leaves. Upper‐crown leaves had significantly smaller area, larger dry mass per area, greater thickness, lower water content, higher nitrogen content and a higher N/C ratio than lower‐crown leaves. When simultaneously offered upper‐crown and lower‐crown leaves, moth larvae consumed a significantly larger amount of the former. However, when fed with either upper‐crown or lower‐crown leaves (no choice), they consumed a significantly larger amount of the latter. Female larvae reared on upper‐crown leaves had a significantly smaller fresh weight, but attained a significantly larger pupal fresh and dry weight, with a significantly higher relative growth rate than those on lower‐crown leaves. Although, like female larvae, male larvae had a significantly smaller fresh weight when reared on upper‐crown leaves, they had a significantly larger value only for pupal dry weight. These results suggest that: (i) larvae ingest a greater amount of lower‐crown leaves to compensate for the lower nitrogen content of the foliage, resulting in having an excess of water because of the higher water content of the foliage; (ii) feeding preference for upper‐crown leaves accords with better performance (with respect to dry pupal weight and relative growth rate) on the foliage; (iii) better performance is explained by a higher nitrogen content and N/C ratio of the upper‐crown foliage; and (iv) the effects of leaf quality on performance differ between sexes.     

取食Bt棉与玉米的越冬代棉铃虫抗寒性特征比较

【目的】针对由Bt棉花和玉米构成的华北农田景观, 探讨不同寄主作物对棉铃虫 Helicoverpa armigera 越冬抗寒的影响。【方法】2013年在河北廊坊科研中试基地的作物田中将棉铃虫幼虫接到Bt棉和玉米上, 比较取食不同作物后棉铃虫的化蛹率、存活率和越冬蛹羽化率;在室内控制条件下分别用棉蕾和鲜玉米粒饲喂棉铃虫幼虫。 测定滞育蛹和非滞育蛹的鲜重、干重、以及脂肪、糖原和低分子物质含量等指标, 比较取食不同作物后棉铃虫的抗寒能力。【结果】取食玉米的棉铃虫滞育蛹干重（117.5 mg）、脂肪含量（457.2 μg/mg DW）以及海藻糖浓度（86.45 μg/g）均显著高于取食Bt棉的棉铃虫滞育蛹干重（56.6 mg）、脂肪含量（239.6 μg/mg DW）以及海藻糖浓度（13.87 μg/g）;取食玉米的棉铃虫冰点(-10.2℃)显著低于取食Bt棉的棉铃虫冰点(-6.5℃)。【结论】结果表明取食玉米更加有利于棉铃虫越冬。 据历史数据, 近年来玉米种植面积不断增加, 这将提高棉铃虫成功越冬比率, 对棉铃虫种群扩张起到促进作用, 因此注重玉米上棉铃虫的防治尤为重要。     

Egg size and larval development in Central Amazonian fish

The relationship between larval development and egg size was studied in 14 species of Central Amazonian fish (seven characiforms, five cichlids and two siluriforms). Egg size was measured as yolk dry weight at activation (egg minus chorion). Larval development was measured as larva] dry weight and age (h from activation) at the developmental stages. Egg size explained most of the variability of larval body weight and total larval weight at hatching, pectoral bud formation, eye pigmentation, jaw formation, swimbladder inflation, onset of swimming, first feeding and maximum weight attained with exclusively endogenous feeding. Larval ages at these developmental stages were poorly related to egg size. Other variables, such as the weight-specific yolk caloric content of the eggs (cal mg⁻¹), spawning site (river or lake) and phyletic relationships had no effect on the remaining variance. These results suggest that the developmental stages considered were conservative among the species examined and that a sequence of stages occurs in the larval development of Amazonian larval fish. The resistance of the larvae to starvation was not related to egg size.     

Food Consumption of the Free-Living Aquatic Nematode Pelodera chitwoodi

A Cartesian diver respirometer was used to measure O₂ uptake and respiratory quotients at 25 C. Respiratory quotients were about 0.70 in starved nematodes, and 0.80 in third-stage and adult nematodes that had fed on bacteria. The energy output as measured by O₂ uptake was inversely related to the concentration of bacteria in the medium, indicating reduction in feeding effort. Feeding bacteria to third-stage nematodes in divers quickly resulted in peak respiration rates averaging 6.4 nl O₂/μg wet weight nematode per hour (QO₂) or six times the endogenous rate. In about 4 hr, the rates fell and then stabilized at a QO₂ of 2.5. Adult males fed bacteria in divers had a peak QO₂ of 2.8 or twice the starved rate. Adult females fed bacteria had a peak QO₂ of 3.7. Starving adult males and third-stage larvae were estimated to lose 2.4% and 1.4%, respectively, of their body weight per day in the form of fat based on the caloric equivalent o f oxygen used and a respiratory quotient of 0.70. The caloric content of the bacteria fed to nematodes in divers was determined. It was then calculated that both third-stage larvae and adult males ingested bacteria equivalent to 4.4 × 10⁻⁵ cal/μg wet weight nematode tissue per hour when feeding. Of the bacterial calories ingested, the larvae used 27% and adults 21% for respiration. It was estimated that males ingested 3.1 × 10⁶ bacteria and females 10 × 10⁶ bacteria during an 8-day life span.     

Effects of different incubation temperatures on the yolk‐feeding stage of Eupallasella percnurus(Pallas)

Embryos and yolk‐feeding larvae of lake minnow Eupallasella percnurus were reared at 13, 16, 19, 22 and 25° C with no access to external food. Time from egg activation to first embryonic movements, hatching, filling of swimbladder and final yolk resorption increased with decreasing temperature. At 13° C, c . 40% of larvae were unable to fill their swimbladder. The predicted lower temperature at which development and growth ceased (biological zero, t ₀) was the same for both processes, c . 7·5–10·5° C. There was no ontogenetic shift in the t ₀ value. Temperature coefficients for development ( Q _10dev.) ranged from 2 to 3 at 19–25° C, but were higher in hatched larvae at lower temperatures. Eggs of E. percnurus had a combination of small size, high hydration and low caloric value of fresh matter. Dry mass of larval tissue on yolk, percentage of dry matter in wet matter, and specific growth rate were maximized at 22 and 25° C. At 19–25° C, energy and matter contained in the initial eggs were converted to body tissue most efficiently. Temperatures from 22 to 25° C are considered optimal for E. percnurus embryos and yolk‐feeding larvae and are recommended for their indoor rearing.     

Lipid and fatty acid composition of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) larvae during development

Changes in lipid class, fatty acid composition, protein, and dry and wet weights of fertilized eggs and developing larvae of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) fed with the live food, Artemia, were investigated. A decrease of wet and dry weights and moisture was observed at the beginning of the larval stage. Larvae regained the original moisture level, and wet and dry weights increased steadily after feeding. Total lipids decreased from 190 μg/egg in fertilized eggs to 151 μg/egg during hatching and increased after feeding. When total lipid contents were expressed as a percentage of larval dry weight, a decline of lipid did not occur until after feeding. Total protein, on the other hand, increased right after feeding, but there was some variation between days. Polar lipids increased significantly from 20 μg/egg at the egg stage to 199 μg/larva at 26 days post-hatching (DPH), 2 days before the onset of metamorphosis, while neutral lipids declined from 175 μg/egg to 80 μg/larva during the same time period. Wax/steryl esters decreased from 150 μg/egg in fertilized eggs to 32 μg/larva at 26 DPH. Triacylglycerols dropped from 21 μg/egg to 15 μg/larva before feeding and increased gradually after feeding. In contrast, the level of cholesterol increased 2–3-fold. There was a significant increase of phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylcholine in larvae after feeding. The fatty acid composition of fish larvae was significantly influenced by the diet, Artemia. There was an indication of catabolism of endogenous eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids during metamorphosis.     

Feeding of fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda,on Bt transgenic cotton and its isoline

Studies on insect food intake and utilization are important for determining the degree of insect/plant association and host species’ resistance, and also for helping design pest management programs by providing estimates of potential economic losses, techniques for mass breeding of insects, and identifying physiological differences between species. We studied the feeding and development of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on transgenic (Bt) and non‐transgenic (non‐Bt) cotton. The larvae of S. frugiperda fed on Bt cotton had a longer development period (23.0 days) than those fed on non‐Bt cotton (20.2 days). Survivorship of S. frugiperda larvae fed on Bt cotton (74.1%) was lower than that of larvae fed on non‐Bt cotton (96.7%). Pupal weight of larvae fed on Bt cotton (0.042 g) was lower than that of larvae fed on non‐Bt cotton (0.061 g). The cotton cultivar significantly affected food intake, feces production, metabolization, and food assimilation by S. frugiperda larvae. However, it did not affect their weight gain. Intake of Bt‐cotton leaf (0.53 g dry weight) per S. frugiperda larva was lower than the intake of non‐Bt‐cotton leaf (0.61 g dry weight). Larvae fed on Bt‐cotton leaves produced less feces (0.25 g dry weight) than those fed on non‐Bt‐cotton leaves (0.37 g dry weight). Weight gain per S. frugiperda larva fed on Bt‐cotton leaves (0.058 g dry weight) was similar to the weight gain for larvae fed on non‐Bt‐cotton leaves (0.056 g dry weight). The cotton cultivar significantly affected the relative growth, consumption, and metabolic rates, as well as other nutritional indices: the figures were lower for larvae fed on Bt‐cotton leaves than for larvae fed on non‐transgenic cotton leaves.     

投喂水平对长吻 仔稚鱼生长和存活的影响

以长吻(鱼危)仔鱼为实验对象, 探讨不同投喂水平对7-14日龄阶段和21-29日龄阶段的长吻(鱼危)仔稚鱼存活、生长以及鱼体组成的影响。7-14日龄阶段设计6个投喂水平, 分别为: 20、30、40、50、60和70 % IBW/d(IBW: initial body weight); 21-29日龄阶段设计6个投喂水平: 10、20、30、40、50、60 % IBW/d。实验结果表明: (1)投喂水平显著影响长吻(鱼危)仔稚鱼的存活和生长(P0.05)。7-14日龄阶段, 投喂水平为30%-60% IBW/d处理组的仔鱼存活率显著高于20%与70 % IBW/d投喂组(P0.05)。特定生长率随投喂水平的增加显著上升, 以60% IBW/d投喂组最高(P0.05)。21-29日龄期间, 10% IBW/d投喂组存活率显著低于50% IBW/d投喂组(P0.05), 特定生长率(SGR)则显著低于其他各处理组(P0.05); (2)鱼体体长体重变异系数未受投喂水平的显著影响。鱼体产出与饲料投入之比、鱼体水分含量随投喂水平升高显著下降(P0.05), 粗蛋白含量则显著上升(P0.05); 粗脂肪和粗灰分含量无显著差异; (3)分别通过存活率和投喂水平做一元二次回归、特定生长率与投喂水平做折线回归得到7-14日龄阶段的仔鱼最适投喂水平为43 % IBW/d; 通过仔鱼存活率和特定生长率与饲料投喂水平做折线回归得到21-29日龄阶段的仔鱼最适投喂水平分别为30.62% IBW/d和28.41% IBW/d。       

Studies on Available Caloric Content of Detritus During the Decomposition of Mangrove Kandelia candel Leaf Litter

The absolute and relative contents of hydrolysis available calories (HAC), tanninfree HAC (TFHAC) and chemical available calories (CAC) of the detritus during the seasonal decomposition of mangrove (Kandelia candel (L.) Druce) leaf litter in Fujian, China was determined. Defined arbitrarily as the portion of total caloric content in detritus hydrolized with 1 mol/L HC1 for 6 h at 20 ℃, HAC is presumed to be a rough index of potential energy readily utilized by marine detritivores. TFHAC is the remaining calories of HAC devoid of tannin-attributed calories and CAC is defined as the total caloric content derived from raw protein, raw fat and soluble sugar. The results showed that in leaf litter, the seasonal mean caloric contents were 4.06 kJ/g DW or 20.85% of the total caloric content for HAC and 3.23 kJ/g DW or 16.68% of the total caloric content for TFHAC, which decreased to 1.75 kJ/g DW or 9.25% for HAC, and 1. 64 kJ/g DW or 8.20% for TFHAC in the detritus at half-life of decomposition. The difference in contents between HAC and TFHAC diminished as decomposition was progressed. The contents of CAC generally increased during decomposition, always higher than those of HAC and TFHAC, suggesting that some protein and fat in detritus are nonavailable to detritivores since they are hydrolyzed by week acid. The value of detritus HAC per unit ash-free dry weight (AFDW), as determined at the time when the detritus lost 23% of its initial weight, ranged from 16. 16 to 17.41 kJ/g AFDW and increased rapidly to a maximum of 24.00 kJ/g AFDW at 49% dry weight loss of detritus during decomposition. The detritus derived from mangrove fallen leaves had a low available caloric content and an moderate caloric value of HAC as compared with detritus of other marine plants. Finally, the relationship between HAC, TFHAC and CAC was discussed and some points of attention relevant to the application of those indices were given in relation     

Caloric content of larvae of the brine shrimpArtemia salina

Summary 1. Caloric contents ofArtemia salina nauplii and larvae have been determined by employing a combustion calorimetry. Freshly hatched nauplii contain on an average 5953 cal/g organic substance; the respective value for 7-day-old (2 mm long) larvae is 5854 cal/g.2. The effect of starvation on the caloric contents was investigated. After a 72 hour starvation period, nauplii contain 5430 cal/g organic substance, 2 mm long larvae 5115 cal/g.3. The ash contents (expressed as % of body dry weight) ofArtemia larvae increase as a function of the length of the starvation period.4. After determining the weight of the nauplii, the caloric content of a single nauplius was calculated after different periods of starvation. It ranges from 0.00924 cal per freshly hatched nauplius to 0.00459 cal per nauplius starved for 96 hours.

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Kaloriengehalt von Larven des SalinenkrebsesArtemia salina

Kurzfassung Der Energiegehalt frisch geschlüpfter Nauplien (5953 cal/g organische Substanz) und 2 mm langer Larven (Metanauplius IV, 5854 cal/g organische Substanz) vonArtemia salina Leach wurde mit einem Parr 1412 Bombenkalorimeter ermittelt. Ferner wurde der Einfluß verschieden langer Hungerperioden auf den Kaloriengehalt dieser Tiere untersucht. Nach 72stündigem Hungern wurden für die Nauplien 5430 cal/g organische Substanz und für die 2 mm langen Larven 5115 cal/g organische Substanz ermittelt. Der Aschegehalt der Tiere stieg mit zunehmender Dauer der Hungerperiode. Anhand des Gewichts der geschlüpften und hungernden Nauplien wurde der Kaloriengehalt einzelner Tiere bestimmt: er reicht von 0,00924 cal pro Tier (gerade geschlüpfter Nauplius) bis 0,00459 cal pro Tier (Nauplius, 96 Stunden ohne Futter).

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Dedicated to Professor Dr.Friedrich Krüger on his 65^th birthday, August 18, 1967.     

Gut evacuation and absorption efficiency of walleye larvae

Gut evacuation and absorption efficiency in zooplanktivorous walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae (10–19 mm; 0.53–6.8 mg dry weight) were examined in the laboratory. The decline in dry weight of whole digestive tract contents was examined at 15, 20, and 25) C in discontinuous feeding larvae. The observed relationship between short-term evacuation rate and gut fullness indicated that evacuation approximated most closely an exponential decline. When gut evacuation rate, R , was calculated as the slope of loge gut fullness v . time there were significant effects of temperature and walleye size on R . Gut evacuation rate was higher at 20° C than at 15 or 25° C and declined with increasing walleye dry weight. Absorption efficiency at 20° C was examined by qualitative analysis of food and faeces. Apparent digestibility, D _a, of crustacean zooplankton increased with gut retention time and declined with walleye dry weight. Maximum D _a was estimated to be 79% of organic matter from food retained in the gut for 6 h.     

Seasonal changes in flesh weight and biochemical composition of mussels (Mytilus edulis L.) in the Conwy Estuary,North Wales

Sublittoral Mytilus edulis L. from natural mussel beds of the Conwy Estuary fishery exhibited an annual cycle of dry flesh weight, biochemical composition, and caloric value during 1971–1974.Mean percentage values of the main components of dry flesh, with seasonal extremes in parentheses, were: protein 58.7 (46.4–73.1), carbohydrates 22.5 (4.1–36.7), lipids 7.0 (3.9–9.6), and ash 11.8 (8.8–17.2). The mean caloric values of dry flesh were 5.57 kcal/g ash-free and 4.92 kcal/g ashinclusive.Individual dry flesh weight was highest in summer and autumn, when protein and carbohydrate were maximal, and decreased through the winter to a post-spawning minimum in spring. Weight loss in winter resulted from rapid utilization of carbohydrate (glycogen) reserves and a depletion of both protein and lipid content. It is considered likely that mussels were then stressed by food shortage at the time when metabolic demands, due to gametogenesis, were highest.During the six main fishing months, October to March, the average weight of dry flesh fell by 30–50 % and caloric content by 35–45 %. The likelihood of similar losses in cultivated mussel stocks is indicated and the need for comparable information in fishery management is emphasized. The extent to which predators compensate for these seasonal changes in prey quality also requires examination.     

Biomass and elemental composition (C.H.N.) of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis cultured as larval food

Changes in dry weight, carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and ash content of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis were investigated during population growth in culture. Also caloric equivalent was estimated from carbon content. Body dry weight and weight of C, N, and H increased with increasing the egg/female ratio of the population, while ash content remained constant. As percentage of dry weight, C content increased with fecundity, H and N remained constant and ash content decreased. The caloric equivalent ranged from 1278 µcal to 4406 µcal for rotifers from 314 µg to 846 µg of dry weight.     

进境小麦下脚料养殖黑水虻幼虫的饲料配比研究

黑水虻Hermetia illucens是一种备受关注的资源昆虫,主要用于处理粪便和餐厨余垃圾,虫体也可作为蛋白源进入下游的牲畜饲料。本研究以黑水虻幼虫为试验对象,设置5个不同配比的黑水虻饲料配方,探究进境小麦下脚料用于黑水虻饲养的可行性。研究发现,黑水虻幼虫抗逆性极好,不同饲料配方饲养的黑水虻幼虫存活率均超过95%。幼虫干虫的营养成分分析表明,进境小麦下脚料所养殖的幼虫蛋白成分可达45%,油脂含量可达30%,比常规蛋白饲料豆粕的44.2%蛋白含量稍高。综合黑水虻幼虫鲜重、干重、干重率以及饲料降解量的养殖结果,小麦下脚料含量为60%的饲料配方具有最佳的转化产出。     

Responsiveness of selected condition measures of herring, Clupea harengus, larvae to starvation in relation to ontogeny and temperature

A laboratory experiment was performed to study the responsiveness of selected condition measures to starvation in herring, Clupea harengus, larvae in relation to temperature and ontogeny. The larvae at two intervals of development, i.e. stage 1 larvae with initial exogenous feeding and stage 2 larvae with established feeding prior to notochord flexion, were reared at three temperatures (5, 8 and 11°C) and subjected to sub-lethal durations of starvation. Temporal changes in standard length, dry weight, DNA concentration (% of dry weight), RNA concentration (% of dry weight), Fulton's condition factor (CF) and RNA/DNA were assessed and compared with fed controls. Starvation led to decreases in dry weight, CF, RNA concentration and RNA/DNA, while it led to an increase in DNA concentration. Higher responsiveness to starvation was observed at higher temperatures, and the magnitude of the changes was higher in stage 2 larvae. The shortest latency in starvation response was found with respect to RNA/DNA which was length independent in the size range studied. RNA/DNA was also significantly related to average DNA growth rate, and the model for DNA growth rate was, SGRDNA=4.49 RNA/DNA + 7.14 T – 0.42 T2 – 37.5 ; n=32, r2=0.85, p < 0.001). While the model seemed to adequately represent the average temperature dependent DNA growth, a relatively low classification success made it unsuitable for depicting individually starving larvae. Critical levels in DNA concentration can be used (2.2% for stage 1 larvae, 2.9% for stage 2 larvae) to differentiate starving larvae (after 3 – 5 days) from feeding larvae. RNA/DNA was the most sensitive and suitable condition index studied in detecting early starvation of herring larvae.     

不同饲养密度对亮斑扁角水虻幼虫生长发育及新鲜牛粪转化率的影响

为了解决养牛业中粪便污染问题,本研究利用亮斑扁角水虻(黑水虻)来转化利用牛粪,探讨了饲养密度对新鲜牛粪的转化效率。本试验以亮斑扁角水虻为研究对象,选择设置每20.0 kg牛粪投入3500头、8750头、17500头4日龄幼虫3个处理密度,在每个密度日均1.0 kg等量饲喂条件下,分析亮斑扁角水虻幼虫百虫重、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、牛粪转化率指标的差异,探索一种适于亮斑扁角水虻幼虫处理新鲜牛粪的饲养密度。结果表明:百虫重、粗蛋白、粗脂肪3个指标在3组处理之间都存在极显著差异。百虫重和粗脂肪两个指标和试验组密度情况在0.01的水平上显著负相关,但3个处理中转化率最高的为8750头的饲养密度。综合评价认为亮斑扁角水虻4日龄幼虫8750头/20.0 kg牛粪的投入量为实验范围内最佳饲养密度。     

Developmental response of carp,Cyprinus carpio,larvae fed different foods or starved

Synopsis The developmental interval, body length, dry and wet weight were determined in carp larvae during the first 2 weeks of exogenous feeding. Six feeding groups were reared at 26°C; four groups received different artificial diets, whereas zooplankton-fed larvae and unfed larvae served as controls. It was found that larval developmental rate can be modified by the type of food. The diet affects the relationship between developmental step and weight. The effect of diet on the relationship between development and length becomes manifest at older steps (after longer feeding the same diet). A threshold point, after which satisfactory results of feeding artificial diets to carp larvae can be expected, depends not only on body size but also on the degree of development.     

Studies on production and food consumption by the larval simuliidae (Diptera) of a chalk stream

Summary Large populations of S. ornatum and S. equinum inhabit Ranunculus plants in the Bere Stream at Bere Heath. A weekly sampling programme obtained both larvae and pupae. The results of weekly sampling indicated four annual generations of S. ornatum and three of S. equinum. Quantitative samples of larvae, obtained at least three times in each generation gave estimates of production ranging from 0.26 g to 2.75 g dry weight m-² per generation of larvae of S. equinum and 0.15 g to 1.19 g dry weight m-² per generation of larvae of S. ornatum.Retention times of food by larvae, under field conditions were in the order of twenty to thirty minutes. Following determination of the weight of the gut contents for each size class of larvae, the activity of feeding larvae was calculated to achieve complete theoretical clearance of suspended material in a distance of 0.6 km, at peak population densities in the summer months.Dept. of Applied Biology, Bath University of Technology