COMPOSITION OF BODIES OF CAVE CRICKETS (HADENOECUS-SUBTERRANEUS), THEIR EGGS, AND THEIR EGG PREDATOR, NEAPHAENOPS-TELLKAMPFI

Hind femur length, live and dry mass, as well as nitrogen and mineral (Na, K, Ca, Mg and Fe) concentrations were measured in crop-empty carc asses of a wide size range of cave crickets, Hadenoecus subterraneus, their eggs and their egg predator, the troglobitic beetle Neaphaenops tellkampfi. Compared to other orthopterans, body concentrations of Fe, Ca and Na of cave crickets are higher, are similar for Mg, but N and K are lower. In cave crickets, body Mg, Fe and N concentrations decrea se with size. Eggs have higher Ca, lower Na and N, and similar K, Fe a nd Mg concentrations than unfed hatchlings. Body concentrations of N. tellkampfi are higher than other beetles for Fe and Ca, similar for Na , and lower for N, Mg and K. Compared to developing eggs of H. subterr aneus, bodies of N. tellkampfi contain similar concentrations of Fe an d Ca, lower concentrations of Mg and K, and higher concentrations of N and Na. Estimated accretion of measured elements during growth after hatching occurs very slowly in cave crickets. Amounts (micrograms/day) of nutrients needed for egg growth greatly exceed needs for nonreprod uctive growth.