METAL UPTAKE AND ACCUMULATION DURING GROWTH OF AGLAIS-URTICAE (LEPIDOPTERA, NYMPHALIDAE) LARVAE

The influence of growth on the accumulation of cadmium, copper, iron, lead, and zinc in larvae of Aglais urticae L. were studied. Concentrat ions of cadmium, iron, and lead remained lower in larvae than in their food plant throughout the rearing period. The zinc concentration in l arvae was about four times higher than in the plants. The copper conce ntrations in the food plant and the larvae were approximately the same . During the course of the experiment, copper concentration in the lar vae increased significantly, whereas concentration of iron decreased. The larvae retained only small amounts of the total cadmium and lead i ngested with food. Somewhat larger amounts of iron and copper were ret ained and 70% of the zinc. There was a positive correlation between me tal uptake and growth increment for all elements tested.