Rapid cold hardening in young hoppers of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria L. (Orthoptera: Acridiidae)

Authors: Wang X-H.; Kang L.

Source: Cryoletters, Volume 24, Number 5, 1 September 2003 , pp. 331-340(10)

Publisher: Cryoletters

Abstract:

This paper describes a rapid cold hardening process for first instar hoppers of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria L. First instar hoppers of this species are often subjected to subzero temperatures or frosts in early April or May after their emergence from the soil. The mean supercooling point of hoppers is -13.0 ± 1.4°C; the fact that none could survive this temperature suggests they are freezing intolerant. When young hoppers were transferred directly from 30°C to -7°C for 2h, there was only 35.8% survival. However, exposure to 0°C for 2h prior to transfer to -7°C increased the apparent survival to 75%. A similar rapid cold hardening response can also be induced by gradual cooling at rates of between 0.05 and 0.1°C min-1. Rapid cold hardening also elevates the Ltime₅₀ of first instar hoppers at -7°C by approximately 3 fold, and reduces the lethal temperature from -10°C to -12°C. However, the protection from cold shock gained through rapid cold hardening was transient and easily lost within 2h of hoppers being returned to 30°C. The rapid cold hardening response is possibly advantageous to first instar hoppers that are often exposed to large temperature fluctuations in spring or early summer.

Keywords: LOCUSTA MIGRATORIA; COLD HARDINESS; ACCLIMATION; RAPID COLD HARDENING; COLD SHOCK

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2003-09-01

More about this publication?

• CryoLetters is a bimonthly international journal for low temperature sciences, including cryobiology, cryopreservation or vitrification of cells and tissues, chemical and physical aspects of freezing and drying, and studies involving ecology of cold environments, and cold adaptation

  The journal publishes original research reports, authoritative reviews, technical developments and commissioned book reviews of studies of the effects produced by low temperatures on a wide variety of scientific and technical processes, or those involving low temperature techniques in the investigation of physical, chemical, biological and ecological problems.

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