Phenology, activity and regulation of radiation load in the desert isopod, Hemilepistus reaumuri.

The phenology and activity of the isopod H. reaumuri has been studied since 1972, in the Negev desert; five distinct phenophases were identified in the annual life cycle of the isopod. From the relationship between activity pattern, phenophases, and microclimatic data it was concluded that H. reaumuri's principal strategy of compensating for its' physiological constraints is through behavioural regulation of energy inflow. (850-1000 cal. cm day).