Physiology of a carabid beetle Platynus assimilis

I. Kivimägi¹, A. Ploomi¹, L. Metspalu¹, E. Svilponis¹, K. Jõgar¹, K. Hiiesaar¹,A. Luik¹, I. Sibul² and A. Kuusik¹

¹Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia; e-mail: irja.kivimagi@emu.ee
²Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia

Abstract:

Predacious carabid beetle Platynus assimilis Paykull (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is a fast-moving insect which should be considered as an important component of biological control in organic farming. In this study we tested some factors of potentially dangerous influence of pesticide Fastac (synthetic pyrethroid) on overwintering physiology of adult ground beetle under laboratory conditions. Cold-hardiness (measured by supercooling point SCP) was determined 2 weeks after exposure to pesticide treated-food. Pesticide had decreased cold-hardiness of the ground beetles. Weak supercooling capacity could be harmful to overwintering insects in cold winters without snow cover.

Key words:

alpha-cypermethrin, overwintering, Platynus assimilis, respiration