Effect of temperature on the life cycle of Acanthagrion Selys, 1876 (Insecta: Coenagrionidae) under artificial conditions

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of temperature on the life cycle of Acanthagrion nymphs sampled in a stream in the southern state of Amazonas. Altogether, 50 nymphs (10 in each of the five treatments) with ambient temperatures of 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32°C and water temperatures of 18, 22, 26, 30 and 34oC, respectively, were used. The only treatment that had a hatching adult was at a temperature of 28oC, identified in a single species, Acanthagrion apicale. In all other treatments (16, 20, 24 and 32oC), all nymphs died, respectively 1, 1, 3 and 2 days. We conclude from the results of this study that controlling water temperature near 28°C was the most efficient for obtaining adult A. apicale, and that this temperature was close to the average temperature where the nymphs were sampled, indicating that the control of this variable in artificial conditions is extremely important to obtain adults from nymphs.