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Abstract:
The cockroach Epilampra irmleri Rocha e Silva & Aguiar occuring in an Amazonian inundation
forest was studied according to production, energy, and nutrient turnover. Production measurements of larvae were made for the field population from September till December 1976, whereas the adult population was investigated in cultures. P/B quotient amounts to 4,55. Epilampra irmleri was found on the forest ground directly after the inundation. Imaginal ecdysis occurs in December - January.
Females carry the single ootheca with 40 - 45 eggs till young larvae are developed in the ootheca.
Feeding tests were executed with two leaf species and natural leaf litter. Natural leaf litter is mostly fed. Soft leaves are prefered to hard leaves. The energy budget can only be compensated if natural leaf litter is fed. The following ecological efficiencies could be found for the larval population according to both feeding and respiration tests: A/C = 23, P/C = 9, R/C = 13, P/A = 41, and R/A = 56. Qxygen consumption of the larvae ranges from 500-700 ?l 0² * h-1 * g-1 at 25°C. The chemical analysis of food
and faeces shows an increase of mineral concentrations in the faeces. The mineral budget is negativ if only leaves are fed. It is supposed that the mineral demand of the cockroach is compensated by substrat
feeding and saprophagy on carcass. According to a leaf fall of 300 g * m² * yr-1 and a leaf consumption of 16,8 g * m-2 * yr-1 by the cockroach 5,6% of the yearly leaf fall is fed by the Epilampra population.
