Abstract
Alexander, Kitchene and Briscoe1, 2 have shown that the desiccation of many insects caused by inert dust insecticides is due to adsorption of the epicuticle wax film, which becomes discontinuous and allows of increased loss of water through the cuticle. Further, Wigglesworth3, 4 has demonstrated abrasion of the wax film and increased evaporation of water caused by the application of an inert dust. It is evident, however, that insects differ conside ably with regard to the epicuticle, for nymphs of Rhodnius are unaffected by adsorption but are susceptible to abrasion3, whereas Tenebrio and other larvæ are more susceptible to adsorption than to abrasion1.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Alexander, Kitchener and Briscoe, Ann. Appl. Biol., 31, 143 (1944).
Alexander, Kitchener and Briscoe, Trans. Faraday Soc., 40, 10 (1944).
Wigglesworth, Nature, 153, 493 (1944).
Wigglesworth, Nature, 154, 333 (1944).
Richards and Anderson, J. Morph., 71, 135 (1942).
Ramsay, J. Exp. Biol., 12, 373 (1935).
Pryor, Proc. Roy. Soc., B, 128, 393 (1940).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DENNELL, R. Insect Epicuticle. Nature 155, 545 (1945). https://doi.org/10.1038/155545a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/155545a0
This article is cited by
-
Die Sekretion des Mitteldarms von Tenebrio molitor L. und die Regulation des Wasserhaushaltes bei verschiedenen Temperaturen und Luftfeuchten
Zeitschrift für vergleichende Physiologie (1956)
-
Bau und zusammensetzung der larvencuticula von Hypoderma bovis (oestridae)
Zeitschrift f�r Morphologie und �kologie der Tiere (1954)
-
Epicuticle of Blow-fly Larvæ
Nature (1950)
-
Units for Degree of Vacuum
Nature (1945)
-
Logarithmic Scales
Nature (1945)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.