Biological Effects of Starvation on the Garden Symphylan

In a study of the effects of starvation on longevity, weight loss, and molting frequency of 1091 adult Scutigerella immaculata (Newport), the median longevity for the total population was 37.2 days . There was a steady weight loss which increased as the starvation interval increased. Starvation prevented many adults from molting. Of 495 specimens, 420 did not molt during their respective starvation intervals and 75 molted at least once. Of those that molted during the starvation tests, molting frequency was greatly reduced.