Relationship between developmental stages and respiration function in scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) [collected from the soil of turf]

Respiration function in each developmental stage of scarab beetles was measured by the gas chromatography. The amount of CO2 expired by the eggs of Anomala osakana SAWADA was 0.364μl/hr per egg when the eggs had absorbed water for three days after oviposition, and 1.319μl/hr after water absorption for nine days. The amount of CO2 expired by the first to third instars (feeding period) of A. osakana and A. schönfeldti OHAUS increased as the larval stage progressed, but the amount of CO2 expired per unit body-weight decreased as the larvae grew. Dermal respiration of the hibernating 3rd instar larvae of A. osakana and A. cuprea HOPE was demonstrated. The amount of CO2 expired at 25°C by the nocturnal adult A. osakana and the diurnal Phylloperth diversa WATERHAUSE was 46×10-2ml/g/hr in the daytime and 87×10-2ml/g/hr at night, and 261×10-2ml/g/hr and 111×10-2ml/g/hr respectively. As menthioned above, there was a certain relationship between the activity of the adults and the amount of CO2 expired.