The Interconversion of Foodstuffs in the Blowfly (Phormia Regina) during Metamorphosis I. Respiratory Metabolism and Nitrogen Excretion

The physiology of pupation is of importance not only from the comparative point of view but also from the standpoint of general physiology. The pupating insect is excellent material for the study of the transformation of foodstuffs, since in this process there is a complete reorganization of body tissues while the only exchange between the organism and its environment is gaseous. There have been a number of studies on the subject, among which may be mentioned the work of Frew (1929), Taylor and Steinbach (1931), and Crescitelli (1935). Reviews of the older work are contained in the papers of Needham (1929, 1931) and Hoskins and Craig (1935). However the literature contains little or nothing on the common blowfly ( Phormia regina ).