EFFECT OF STARVATION ON SOME ASPECTS OF PHYSIOLOGY OF Zonocerus variegatus

Abstract

The effect of starvation on the body weight, fat body, reproductive structures as well as proximate and chemical composition of adults and instars of Zonocerus variegatus was investigated. All the insects starved recorded weight loss, however insects starved for 24 hours recorded highest weight loss while those starved for 6 hours recorded the least. However stage of development had no significant (P<O.05) effect on weight loss. There was a sort of fluctuations in the fat body scores of the insects starved. Male
and Female insects starved for 18 hours had the highest fat body scores while male and female insects starved for 6 and 12 hours respectively recorded the least fat body. Starvation for the different hours 6, 12,
18 and 24 hours did not affect proximate composition and the mineral content of Zonocerus variegatus.