The positions of the critical points on oxygen consumption/oxygen concentration curves and the oxygen levels for 95% sustained survival were compared for water insect nymphs. The influence on the oxygen level for 95% sustained survival of internal changes close to emergence was also studied. Nymphs of Diura nanseni, Taeniopteryx nebulosa (Plecoptera) and Cioeon dipterum (Ephemeroptera) were used. The critical point on the oxygen consumption/oxygen concentration curve and the oxygen level for 95% sustained survival corresponded well. The latter values were at 8.00C for nymphs one month prior to emergence; Diura 3.1 + 0.4, Taeniopteryx 5.1 ? 0.5, and Cloeon 2.2 ? 0.2 mg 02 1-' Close to emergence the values were higher; Diura 5.3 ? 0.4, and Taeniopteryx 7.1 ? 0.2 mg 02 -t. The main explanations proposed for this were an increase of the internal metabolism that was measured to about 30% and an increased diffusion resistance to oxygen of the nymphal cuticle.
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Nagell et al. (1981) studied this question.