A Text-book of Entomology: Including the Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology and Metamorphoses of Insects for Use in Agricultural and Technical Schools and Colleges as Well as by the Working EntomologistPackard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring)
Science
A Text-book of Entomology: Including the Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology and Metamorphoses of Insects for Use in Agricultural and Technical Schools and Colleges as Well as by the Working Entomologist
Packard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring)
Insects
=Physiological experiments.=—First of all one should observe as exactly
as possible the normal animal in its relation to certain odorous
substances, whose fumes possess no corrosive power or peculiarities
interfering with respiration; then remove the antennæ and try after
several days to ascertain what changes have taken place in the relation
of the animal to the substance. In order to come to no false results it
is often necessary to let the insects operated upon rest one or two
days, for immediately after the operation they are generally so restless
that a careful experiment is impossible.
The extirpation of the antennæ is borne by different insects in
different ways; many bear it very easily, and can live for months after
the operation, while others die in the course of a few days after the
loss of these appendages. The animals seem to be least injured if the
operation is performed at a time when they are hibernating. _Pyrrhocoris
apterus_, and many other insects, afforded a very striking proof of this
relation.
Experiments made by placing the antennæ in liquid paraffine so as to
cover them with a layer of paraffine, thus excluding the air, gave the
same result as if the antennæ had been removed.
The experiments may be divided, according to their object, into three
groups. Experiments of the first kind were made on insects in their
relation to strong-smelling substances, as turpentine, carbolic acid,
etc., before and after extirpation of the antennæ. The second group
embraces experiments on the relation of animals as regards their search
for food; and finally the third group embraces experiments on the
relation of the sexes relative to reproduction before and after the
extirpation of the antennæ.
=Relation of insects to smelling substances before and after the loss of
their antennæ.=—Taking a glass rod dipped in carbolic acid and holding
it within 10 cm. of _Philonthus œneus_, found under stones at the end of
February, it was seen to raise its head, turn it in different
directions, and to make lively movements with its antennæ. But scarcely
had Hauser placed the rod close to it when it started back as if
frightened, made a sudden turn, and rushed, extremely disturbed, in the
opposite direction. When he removed the glass rod, the creature busied
itself for some time with its antennæ, while it drew them, with the aid
of its fore limbs, through its mouth, although they had not come into
direct contact with the carbolic acid. There was the same reaction
against oil of turpentine, and it was still more violent against acetic
acid.
After having many times carefully tested the relations of the normal
animal to the substances mentioned, the antennæ were removed from the
socket-cavity.
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