Cuticular and Exuvial Biomass and Nitrogen Economy During Assimilation and Growth of the American Grasshopper, <i>Schistocerca americana</i>

Abstract

The role of nitrogen metabolism during insect development and reproduction is of primary importance for the success of a species. We conducted a study designed to examine the nitrogen economy of Schistocerca americana from hatching to adulthood, focusing on the processes associated with the assimilation and growth linked to cuticular nitrogen investment, as well as the exuvial nitrogen losses resulting from molting. During development, the grasshopper biomass from the egg stage to the adult stage increased 7-fold for males and 9-fold for females, while their total body nitrogen content increased 23-fold for males and 25-fold for females. During the growth process, the total biomass lost from molting as discarded exuvia was 13% for males and 12% for females. Similarly, the exuvial nitrogen lost during the molting process was 11% for males and 11% for females.