Exoskeleton nitrogen investment and loss during the molt cycles of developing American grasshoppers, Schistocerca americana.

The amount of total nitrogen investment and lost during the 6 larval molts has been investigated for both male and female American grasshoppers.  We have observed that significant amounts of nitrogen and dry weight losses of about 15% occur at each of the six molts during development to the adult stage.  The significance of nitrogen conservation associated with cuticular metabolism associated with the molt cycles and nutritional requirements during the development of this species will be discussed.