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Freeze tolerance in larvae of the winter-active Diamesa mendotae Muttkowski (Diptera: Chironomidae): a contrast to adult strategy for survival at low temperatures

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Abstract

The winter-active Diamesa mendotae Muttkowski (Diptera: Chironomidae) is freeze intolerant in the adult stage with a low mean supercooling point (SCP) of ~−20 °C. However, cold-hardiness strategies for immatures of this species are unknown. In this study, we measured SCP values for D. mendotae larvae, pupae and adults using surface-contact thermometry. In addition, the lower lethal temperature (LLT) was determined for the larval stage. The mean SCPs for larvae (−7.4 °C) and pupae (−9.1 °C) were relatively high compared to adults (−19.7 °C). Our results indicate that the larvae of D. mendotae are freeze tolerant with a LLT99 (−25.4 °C), ~−10 °C lower than their minimum SCP (−15.6 °C). Freeze tolerance in these larvae may be a strategy to provide protection from short-term exposures to ice crystals or to permit diapause within frozen substrates. The change in cold-hardiness strategy from freeze tolerant to freeze intolerant between the larval and adult stages of this species is likely a result of the different habitats occupied by these two life stages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA

    R. W. Bouchard Jr., M. A. Carrillo, S. A. Kells & L. C. Ferrington Jr.

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  1. R. W. Bouchard Jr.
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  2. M. A. Carrillo
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  3. S. A. Kells
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  4. L. C. Ferrington Jr.
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Correspondence to L. C. Ferrington Jr..

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Bouchard, R.W., Carrillo, M.A., Kells, S.A. et al. Freeze tolerance in larvae of the winter-active Diamesa mendotae Muttkowski (Diptera: Chironomidae): a contrast to adult strategy for survival at low temperatures. Hydrobiologia 568, 403–416 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0200-6

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