RESPIRATORY METABOLISM OF CAMPONOTUS RUFIPES ANTS - BROOD AND ADULTS

The respiratory metabolism oi immature forms (eggs, larvae, prepupae a nd pupae) of Camponotus rufipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was studied at 25 degrees C, using a Warburg respirometer. Mean respiratory rates (mu l O gamma mg(-1) live weight.hr(-1)) for eggs, first instars, seco nd instars, third instars, fourth instars, prepupae, and pupae were re spectively: 2.53, 5.07, 1.23, 0.32, 0.22, 0.19 and 0.13. Adult workers with body mass between 20 and 30 mg had a mean respiratory rate of 0. 43. The high respiratory rate in first instars probably reflects, besi des the size influence, the metabolic costs of differentiation that oc curs in this phase. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.