Effect of Desiccation on the Humidity Response of Tenebrio

Abstract

THE ecological significance of an experimentally demonstrated and strongly marked preference for low humidities shown by certain arthropods has recently been discussed by Smith¹. Tenebrio molitor L. is one insect the behaviour of which in humidity gradients has been fully studied and which shows a well-defined dry preference^2–4. In laboratory cultures of adult Tenebrio, however, we have frequently observed that, if a wad of wet cotton-wool be placed in the culture dish, the animals rapidly accumulate on the wool and drink. It is thus clear that the dry preference does not express itself in all conditions.