Egg Hatch ofTribolium confusumandT. castaneum(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Different Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Atmospheres

Abstract

In the various carbon dioxide atmospheres tested (5–100%), hatch of Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal and T. castaneum (Herbst) eggs was delayed and inhibited partially or fully. Under similar oxygen concentrations in nitrogen atmospheres there was about as much egg hatch as in controls. Interference of high carbondioxide concentration with the normal metabolic growth process of eggs or the anesthetic action of the gas on the embryo nervous system is suggested as possible explanation for delayed or inhibited egg hatch.