Absorption and Content of Water in Eggs of Ctenicera destructor (Brown), Ctenicera aeripennis (Kirby) and Hypolithus bicolor Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

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Abstract
Eggs of Ctenicera destructor (Brown), Ctenicera aeripennis (Kirby) and bisexual and parthenogenetic strains of Hypolithus bicolor Eschscholtz must absorb water to complete embryonic development. In eggs of C. destructor incubated at 24.4 ± 0.5 °C. in sifted soil containing 15% water (wet weight basis), water absorption started during the second day of development and ended within 24 hours. The mean wet weight increased from 26.6 ± 0.2 (standard deviation) μg. to 39.2 ± 0.6 μg. by the third day. During this period the water content increased from 42% to 64%. After the third day, the mean wet weight remained constant but a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the mean water content and a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the mean dry weight occurred. The progress of water absorption in eggs of C. aeripennis and the two strains of H. bicolor was similar to that in C. destructor. Differences from C. destructor were apparent, however, in the sizes of the eggs, in the initial and final amounts of dry matter and in the water contents. Water absorption by eggs of C. destructor started after one day of incubation at 25 ± 0.5 °C., after 1 to 2 days at 20°, and after 4 days at 15°. The rate of absorption appeared to be slightly more rapid at higher temperatures within the range of 15–25 °C.

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