Authors: K. O. Ademolu , A. A. Balogun , A. B. Idowu
Mun. Ent. Zool. Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2011
Abstract
This study examines the growth pattern and the ionic composition (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Po42-,Cl-) of the antennae of Zonocerus variegatus during its post embryonic development. The antennal length (cm) and number of antennal segments increased steadily during development with the adult stage having significantly (P<0.05) higher values than the lower instars. The growth gradient between the 6th instar and the adult stage was greater than that within the lower instars. Also, the growth rate of the body length (0.415x) was faster than the antennal length (0.215x). The 1st and 2nd instar stages of development had significantly higher ionic concentrations than the later instars and the adult stage. The relationship between these results and the behavior of the Z. variegatus is discussed