The Interconversion of Foodstuffs in the Blowfly (Phormia Regina) during Metamorphosis III. Chemical Composition of Larvae, Pupae and Adults

Abstract

The chemical composition of pupating insects has been frequently studied ever since the time of Claude Bernard. The earlier work has been adequately reviewed by Needham (1931). Among the more recent investigations may be mentioned those of Ludwig (1932) and Crescitelli and Taylor (1935). Since the blowfly laboratory here at the Ohio State University is able to furnish almost unlimited amounts of material, the investigations of the changes in the chemical composition of Phormia regina which are reported in this paper have been carried out more completely and on a much larger scale than any previously reported. We have determined total water, ash, nitrogen, fats and carbohydrate (reducing substance) and non-protein nitrogen in the larvae, at 24 hour intervals during the four days of pupation, in the adults, and in the pupal cases, and have measured the rate of weight loss during pupation.