Hi, what is the lowest temp a butterfly survive during winter hibernation?
Thanks Andy
Body Temp
- Pete Eeles
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There is some, rather technical, rationale here:
http://entomology.unl.edu/ent801/cold.html
But the summary is that the insect seems to increase its production of "anti-freeze" agents (such as glycerol, which has a much lower freezing point than water). A temperature of -20 degC is mentioned![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Cheers,
- Pete
http://entomology.unl.edu/ent801/cold.html
But the summary is that the insect seems to increase its production of "anti-freeze" agents (such as glycerol, which has a much lower freezing point than water). A temperature of -20 degC is mentioned
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Cheers,
- Pete
Interesting article. Glycerol apparently not only acts as an anti-freeze in the commonest sense, i.e. lowering the freezing point of water-based cells, it also enables further supercooling down to the quoted -20C without ice formation. Moreover, it will protect cellular structure from damage when frozen to even lower temperatures, and is an essential ingredient in long-term human and animal sperm storage. This explains how Arctic midges and mosquitos can survive. UK winters are comparitively balmy by comparison.
I heard once that camberwell beauty butterflies cannot survive UK winters because they aren't cold enough to trigger the deep hibernation that they require.
I heard once that camberwell beauty butterflies cannot survive UK winters because they aren't cold enough to trigger the deep hibernation that they require.