Analysis of insect freezing temperature distributions

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Abstract
Because the temperature at which an individual insect freezes is largely unpredictable, distribution curves representative of the freezing temperature of a population are necessary for analysis and interpretation of the factors affecting the particular freezing events. As the individual effects of several of these factors have lately been determined, analysis of combined effects can now be attempted.The effect of changing nucleator numbers on freezing temperature distribution is shown in two complementary series of curves. Very high and very low numbers of nucleators produce narrow distributions at high and low subzero temperatures. A progressive series of intermediate nucleator numbers reveals a bimodal phase whose development and subsidence is distinct and regular.The range of a potential freezing temperature distribution affects the incidence of freezing events when the amount of supercooling is relatively small and is therefore important to insect hibernation.

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