Influence of ambient temperature on reproduction ofthe red-headed cricket (Gryllus assimilis)

Abstract

Red-headed crickets were kept in glass insectariums equipped with drinkers, food containers and peat boxes for laying eggs. In the first stage of the experiment, the insects were divided into three groups, kept at 20°C, 25°C and 29°C, respectively. Three days after placing the crickets in the insectariums, the eggs were counted. In the second stage, the eggs (15 pcs.) were placed in boxes with peat in insectariums and exposed to the same temperatures as the females were kept at 20°C, 25°C and 29°C respectively, and the time in which the larvae hatch in each container was observed.It was found that the thermal conditions of the environment influence the number of eggs laid by female Gryllus assimilis and the length of the embryonic period in red-headed crickets. It is estimated that in the temperature range of 20–29°C, increasing the temperature by 1°C shortens the time needed to hatch the larvae from the eggs by 2 days.