Comparative study on the metabolic reserves in hibernating and non-hibernating adults of the melon ladybird beetle, epilachna chrysomelina (F.) (Col., Coccinellidae)

Results obtained from the present study showed great variations in the body weight, water content, fat and glycogen reserves of hibernating and active adults of Epilachna chrysomelina. Beetles were active throughout May-September and entered hibernation from October to March/April. At the beginning of hibernation, beetles were generally heavier than active ones. They lost 26.3-36.5% of their body weight and 6.5% of their water content during the hibernation period. Active beetles entered hibernation with high fat and glycogen reserves (13.3 and 1.4 mg/beetle). These gradually decreased to 4.2 and 0.12 mg/beetle throughout the 6 months of hibernation, an indication that beetles consumed about 44.6% and 90% of the total fat and glycogen reserves during this period. © 1982 Verlag Paul Parey