[The quantitative changes of defeacation during the larval development ofCerura vinula L. (Lepidoptera)].

During the larval development ofCerura vinula L. consecutive instars are of increasing length. The time requirement for each instar is temperature dependent. They are shorter at higher and longer at lower temperatures.The data of the first larval instars suggest that the leaves were digested at a much higher rate at 18° C than at 25°C and 30° C. The data of the 5. instar do not show this difference as clearly. During the 5. instar maximum of defeacation was reached by an s-shaped curve. This curve may be divided into two different phases: During the first phase there is a steady increase. During the second phase the rise decreases steadily until the maximum of defeacation is reached. The first phase may be shortened by higher temperatures, while the second phase may not be altered. Short cyclic variations with irregular periodic length of 8-16 hours seeme to be superimposed on this s-shaped curve. There is evidence that the position of their maxima and minima are correlated with the day-night cycle. This effect is described quantitatively by the tendency-curve.