The physiological action of abnormally high temperatures on poikilothermic animals

Abstract

The fully grown larvae of the 2 sp. Calliphora erythrocephala Meig. and Phormia terra-novae R.D. differ widely in their tolerance of high and low temp., the former developing at any temp. between 12 and 31[degree], the latter only between 18 and 36[degree]. Larvae bred in the higher ranges resisted high temp. for a longer period than those bred at the lower end. The degree of unsaturation of the phosphatides depends only on the temp. of breeding, the I numbers being 88-96 at the higher and 62-70 at the lower temp. in both sp. A physical breakdown of fatty substances cannot be the direct cause of heat injury.