Stormy peace. Scientists have discovered what happens to insects during hibernation

MOSCOW, June 27. SSU biologists as part of a scientific team found out what processes occur in the body of insects during “hibernation.” According to the authors, new data on metabolism can help not only in pest control, but also in the development of northern and desert territories by mankind. The results are presented in The European Physical Journal Special Topics.
A kind of “sleep” of insects, which allows them to survive unfavorable environmental conditions, is called diapause, said the Saratov National Research State University named after N.G. Chernyshevsky (SSU). During this period, the motor activity of arthropods completely stops.

Previously, biologists believed that diapause implies slowing down all processes to the possible minimum, however, a team of SSU scientists together with colleagues from Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov refuted the existing theory.

Studying the pupa of the “sleeping” gall moth (Aulacidea hieracii), scientists discovered that rapid biochemical processes take place in its body: many molecular transformations and the synthesis of new compounds.
Experts found that carotenoids, natural organic pigments, undergo special changes during diapause yellow, orange or red, synthesized by bacteria, algae, fungi, corals and higher plants and obtained by animals from food. They, for example, act as antioxidants and are precursors of vitamin A, which has a beneficial effect on vision.

«»It should be noted that we have been moving towards these discoveries for quite a long time — more than five years. Over these years, we have developed a scientific understanding of the molecular processes taking place and have accumulated extensive experience in working with living insects. We have also developed research protocols that may be useful to scientists from other fields of science,” said one of the authors of the study, head of the Department of Morphology and Animal Ecology of SSU Vasily Anikin.
He added that understanding the factors that lead to the fact that some insects “do not wake up” after diapause may be the key to development of pest control methods.

In addition, food prepared from insects has a high energy value and is superior to beef and pork in protein content. According to the scientist, the results obtained from the analysis of the processes of activation and synthesis of molecules of proteins, lipids and carotenoids in the body of arthropods can help in the creation of high-calorie food products based on insects in extremely extreme environmental conditions.

The study of arthropods in diapause was carried out using a method harmless to them — Raman spectroscopy scattering, which makes it possible to obtain information about the structural features of compounds due to the interaction of a sample with laser radiation, experts explained.
The research was carried out within the framework of the Priority-2030 program, of which Saratov National Research State University named after N.G. is a participant. Chernyshevsky.