Survival of Insect Eggs After Stratospheric Flights on Jet Aircraft

Abstract

Studies were made to determine whether insect eggs on the exterior surfaces of jet aircraft survive flights in the stratosphere. The first flight was at 40,000 feet for 8 minutes at Mach 0.82 (465 knots true air speed) and an air temperature of -57°; the second at 45,000 to 50,000 feet for 30 minutes with 12 minutes above Mach one and an air temperature of -60° Complete mortality of eggs of the yellow-striped army worm (Prodenia ornithogalli Guen.), a representative species of Phalaenidae, the only family reported as laying eggs on aircraft, was obtained in both tests. There was, however, a normal hatch of the cold-resistant eggs of the eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum (F.)) under these conditions.