ABSTRACT
Humidity reactions have recently been demonstrated in a number of terrestrial arthropods. In several instances–for example in Locusta migratoria (Kennedy, 1937), Culex fatigans (Thomson, 1938), Blatta orientalis (Gunn & Cosway, 1938), Tenebrio molitor (Pielou & Gunn, 1940) and in Pediculus humanus corporis (Wigglesworth, 1941)–it has been shown that such responses lead to the avoidance of moist air, a type of behaviour which is not easily associated with any specific physiological requirements. On the other hand, certain animals such as woodlice which are known to possess little capacity to resist desiccation, avoid dry, and aggregate in humid air (Gunn, 1937; Waloff, 1941); this type of behaviour is clearly of some adaptive significance.
Copyright © 1943 The Company of Biologists Ltd.
1943
You do not currently have access to this content.