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Insect Freezing Protection in Pterostichus brevicornis (Carabidae)

Nature New Biology volume 236, pages 219–221 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

THERE are conflicting opinions concerning the mechanisms of freezing protection and survival in adult insects1, 2 generally resulting from a lack of consideration of pre-experimental conditions (that is, temperature exposure) or inappropriate analytical procedures. The ground beetle, Pterostichus brevicornis, has a circumpolar distribution with populations in some glacial refugia. Here it aggregates and overwinters in decayed stumps in the Fairbanks locale while ambient temperatures lower than −40° C have been recorded. Lower lethal temperatures (LD50) for winter acclimatized forms are near −87° C3, and limited survival has been recorded after brief exposures to −196° C (liquid N2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, State University of New York, Geneseo, New York, 14454

    JOHN G. BAUST

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  1. JOHN G. BAUST
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BAUST, J. Insect Freezing Protection in Pterostichus brevicornis (Carabidae). Nature New Biology 236, 219–221 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio236219a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio236219a0

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