Changes in the Distribution of Nitrogen during Starvation in the Grasshopper, Chortophaga viridifasciata De Geer

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Abstract
Detns. were made on the N contained in the lipid, water-soluble, and water-insoluble fractions of normal grass-hopper lymphs and of others following complete inanition. Starvation resulted in a significant decrease in the N-containing lipids, the amt. of N lost from this fraction being more than 40% of the original quantity. It is suggested that N-containing lipids, probably phospholipids, serve as an important source of energy in this insect. No significant changes were observed in the N contained in the soluble and insoluble fractions as a result of starvation. The N lost from each of these fractions was approx. 8% of the original quantity. The total N lost during complete starvation, obtained by adding together the amt. of N lost from each fraction, was 0.32 mg., which is also the avg. amt. recovered from the feces eliminated during the starvation period. There is no evidence for the storage of waste N during starvation. The protein conversion factor, 6.25, appears to give satisfactory protein percentages for both normal and starved insects when multiplied by the N percentages of the water-insoluble fraction of each group. During inanition the grasshopper nymphs do not appear able to use body protein as an energy reserve.

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