A re-evaluation of silk measurement by the cecropia caterpillar (Hyalophora cecropia) during cocoon construction reveals use of a silk odometer that is temporally regulated

Depuis le tournant du présent siècle, le majestueux papillon cécropia (Hyalophora cecropia) a étendu progressivement son aire de répartition au Québec dans la zone tempérée mixte et dans le domaine bioclimatique de la sapinière à bouleau blanc en zone boréale. Vers 2006-2007, cette saturnie aurait simultanément atteint les basses terres de la Haute-Côte-Nord, du Lac-Saint-Jean et d’Amos en Abitibi. Les signalements par le public du papillon et de la chenille au Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean ont été nettement plus fréquents en 2011 ; une centaine de cocons ont été trouvés tout autour du lac Saint-Jean dans des lisières arbustives en milieu rudéral, agricole, riverain et résidentiel, principalement sur le cerisier (Prunus spp.), le saule (Salix spp.), l’aulne (Alnus rugosa) et le cornouiller (Cornus stolonifera). La diminution du couvert de conifères au profit de jeunes peuplements mixtes et feuillus et la clémence de certains hivers au cours des années 2000 auraient occasionné cette expansion de l’espèce au nord du 47e parallèle.

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Activity Patterns and Energetics of the Moth, Hyalophora Cecropia

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.53.3.611 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 53 (3) ◽

pp. 611-627

Author(s):

JAMES L. HANEGAN ◽

JAMES EDWARD HEATH

Keyword(s):

Activity Patterns ◽

Balance Sheet ◽

Adult Life ◽

Metabolic Cost ◽

Hormonal Control ◽

Energetic Cost ◽

Air Temperatures ◽

Hyalophora Cecropia ◽

Metabolic Expenditure ◽

Maintenance Metabolism

1. The time of activity and the duration of active periods (flight) of moths of the species Hyalophora cecropia has been determined by monitoring thoracic temperature. 2. The metabolic cost of flight per day and per adult life has been determined directly by measuring O2 consumption and indirectly by analysis of cooling curves of individual moths. 3. An energy balance sheet has been derived which gives the metabolic cost of flight and maintenance (during torpor) over the insect's adult life. 4. The metabolic stores mobilized for daily activity appear to be fixed and independent of air temperature. This mobilization of fat stores may be under hormonal control. 5. It is metabolically more expensive for moths to be active at low air temperatures. The number and duration of active periods at low air temperatures is reduced, but, the metabolic expenditure for activity is equal to that of animals held at higher air temperatures. 6. Females have a smaller total energy reserve than males. The number of active periods per day is not significantly different between the sexes at any given temperature, but in females the active periods are significantly shorter in duration. 7. The flight speed has been determined, and estimates of the flight range per day and per adult life have been calculated. 8. The ecology of H. cecropia has been discussed with respect to the timing and duration of active periods, the range and speed of flight, and the energetic cost of flight and maintenance metabolism.

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Notizen: The Accessory Sex Glands as the Repository for Juvenile Hormone in Male Cecropia Moths

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C ◽

10.1515/znc-1976-3-421 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 31 (3-4) ◽

pp. 199-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Paul Shirk ◽

Karl Dahm ◽

Herbert Roller

Keyword(s):

Juvenile Hormone ◽

Adult Male ◽

Adult Eclosion ◽

Accessory Sex Glands ◽

Hyalophora Cecropia

Abstract Gas chromatographic determinations, bioassays, and radio labelling experiments show that the juvenile hormone in adult male Hyalophora cecropia is accumulated exclusively in the accessory sex glands. Moths do not store measurable quantities of juvenile hormone if their accessory sex glands are removed shortly after adult eclosion.

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