An Evaluation of Xeric Adaptiveness of Several Species of Blister Beetles (Meloidae)1

Abstract

Several species of blister beetles mainly of the subtribe Eupomphina (Meloinae: Lyttini) were tested with respect to several parameters to evaluate their xeric adaptiveness. Rates of water loss were generally higher than for other xeric species (9.59–155.00 mg/g/h). Oxygen consumption was higher in all species than that reported for other xeric arthropods (300.9–3679.1 μl/g/h). All animals tested showed strong ability to regulate Na, K, and Ca as well as total osmotic concentration. Each species showed a high temperature tolerance as judged by relatively high critical thermal maxima (CTM) (47–51°C). Except for their high temperature tolerance, survival of meloids under rigorous ecological stresses seems more related to availability of wet food than to exceptional physiological adaptations.