Effect of Temperature on the Growth of the Water Strider, Gerris paludum insularis (Gerridae, Heteroptera)

The water strider, Gerris paludum insularis, was reared in a growth cabinet at two constant temperatures and ${\approx}20^{\circ}C$ under a 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod. Differences in head width among three temperatures of ${\approx}20^{\circ}C,\;25^{\circ}C\;and\;30^{\circ}C$ in G. paludum insularis, were compared. Temperature affected growth of head width of G. paludum insularis. There were highly significant differences among head width for three temperature regimes and the immature stages. It was found that head width is greater in $30^{\circ}C$ than $25^{\circ}C\;and\;{\approx}20^{\circ}C$. The growth quantity of the head width in ${\approx}20^{\circ}C$ shows the slowest increase, and $25^{\circ}C\;and\;30^{\circ}C$ were gradually increased in that order. The maximum ratio of growth quantity by each stage is in the first instar in all regimes. The growth rates of all regimes show an increase pattern.