EFFECT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL-TEMPERATURE ON THE BEGINNING OF OVIPOSITION IN THE SPRINGTAIL TETRODONTOPHORA-BIELANENSIS (WAGA), (COLLEMBOLA)

The springtail Tetrodontophora bielanensis is a mountainous species li ving in forest litter. Females lay their eggs in autumn throughout 3-5 day span. In the years 1968, 1972-1973 and 1975-1993 the dates of the first day of eggs laying were noted. The dates varied between 30th of October and Ist of December. Basing on data of the Meteorological Sta tion of the Jagiellorian University the correlations between the egg l aying time and the temperature of the environment in successive autumn s have been drawn. It has been stated that the occurrence in September (the period of the most intensive vitellogenesis) of higher than norm ally number of days with the sub-zero temperatures accelerates the egg laying period. The lack in this month the days with sub-zero temperat ures lowers the speed of vitellogenesis and, because of this, prolongs the term of the egg laying. The influence of low temperatures on the biology of the species studied has been discussed.