Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i>
The role of nitrogen metabolism during insect development and reproduction is of primary importance for the success of a species. We conducted a study designed to examine the nitrogen economy of <i>Schistocerca americana</i> from hatching to adulthood, focusing on the processes associate...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/327 |
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| author | Donald E. Mullins Sandra E. Gabbert |
| author_facet | Donald E. Mullins Sandra E. Gabbert |
| author_sort | Donald E. Mullins |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The role of nitrogen metabolism during insect development and reproduction is of primary importance for the success of a species. We conducted a study designed to examine the nitrogen economy of <i>Schistocerca americana</i> from hatching to adulthood, focusing on the processes associated with the assimilation and growth linked to cuticular nitrogen investment, as well as the exuvial nitrogen losses resulting from molting. During development, the grasshopper biomass from the egg stage to the adult stage increased 7-fold for males and 9-fold for females, while their total body nitrogen content increased 23-fold for males and 25-fold for females. During the growth process, the total biomass lost from molting as discarded exuvia was 13% for males and 12% for females. Similarly, the exuvial nitrogen lost during the molting process was 11% for males and 11% for females. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5281abfa93884c3cbfaec4b46bbcdb89 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-5281abfa93884c3cbfaec4b46bbcdb892025-08-20T02:42:34ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-03-0116332710.3390/insects16030327Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i>Donald E. Mullins0Sandra E. Gabbert1Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USADepartment of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USAThe role of nitrogen metabolism during insect development and reproduction is of primary importance for the success of a species. We conducted a study designed to examine the nitrogen economy of <i>Schistocerca americana</i> from hatching to adulthood, focusing on the processes associated with the assimilation and growth linked to cuticular nitrogen investment, as well as the exuvial nitrogen losses resulting from molting. During development, the grasshopper biomass from the egg stage to the adult stage increased 7-fold for males and 9-fold for females, while their total body nitrogen content increased 23-fold for males and 25-fold for females. During the growth process, the total biomass lost from molting as discarded exuvia was 13% for males and 12% for females. Similarly, the exuvial nitrogen lost during the molting process was 11% for males and 11% for females.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/327insect moltingexuvial biomass and nitrogen lossinsect growth |
| spellingShingle | Donald E. Mullins Sandra E. Gabbert Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i> Insects insect molting exuvial biomass and nitrogen loss insect growth |
| title | Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i> |
| title_full | Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i> |
| title_fullStr | Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i> |
| title_short | Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i> |
| title_sort | cuticular and exuvial biomass and nitrogen economy during assimilation and growth of the american grasshopper i schistocerca americana i |
| topic | insect molting exuvial biomass and nitrogen loss insect growth |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/327 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT donaldemullins cuticularandexuvialbiomassandnitrogeneconomyduringassimilationandgrowthoftheamericangrasshopperischistocercaamericanai AT sandraegabbert cuticularandexuvialbiomassandnitrogeneconomyduringassimilationandgrowthoftheamericangrasshopperischistocercaamericanai |