Characteristics of the Respiratory Metabolism of Chinolyda flagellicornis Prepupa

The rates of oxygen consumption (μL(O2)· mg-1 ·h-1) of the Chinolyda flagellicornis prepupa was determined with the respirameter (SKW 3). The results showed that the respiratory rates, which followed a U shaped curve, was characterized by a conspicuous reduction in the metabolic intensity, the bottom region of the curve lasted nearly 300 days, and in this stage, respiratory rate had no correlation with the surrounding temperature. The respiratory quotient of prepupa (RQ) was 0.76, and it is showed that in the period of prepupa stage the lipid was the major material to be used to yield energy. For there is no visible difference in morphology between diapausing and non diapausing prepupa, the respiratory rate can be used as indicator for the starting or termination point of diapause.