Wet and Dry-weight Estimates of Insects and Spiders Based on Length

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Abstract
Regression coefficients for estimating the wet and dry weights from total length were developed for 9 specific categories of insects and spiders, and for 1 general grouping that included all adult insect samples. The categories chosen for regression analyses were based on general body shapes, biological habits, taxonomy and importance in the diets of lizards. Separate coefficients were developed for each of the following categories: Orthoptera, Hemiptera-Homoptera, larval Coleoptera, adult Coleoptera, larval Lepidoptera, adult Lepidoptera, Formicidae, Diptera-Hymenoptera (exclusive of ants) and Arachnida. The advantages of using these coefficients to determine the weights of terrestrial arthropods in food habits studies and community ecology are discussed.