Inositol Requirement of Periplaneta americana (L.) during Development1

Abstract

Groups of 50 to 100 newly hatched nymphs were started on diets containing 80 mg. niyo-inositol per kg. of diet. At weekly intervals groups of insects were transferred to an inositol-deficient diet and the progress of development was observed. Three separate experiments were conducted; although the results were not identical (presumably because of the differences in growth rate from one experiment to another), the general patterns were quite similar. At age 10 weeks it was apparent from growth and survival that insects receiving inositol for less than 6 weeks had developed a deficiency. As the insects aged it became apparent that inositol is a requirement at least for the first 14 weeks of development and probably much longer. The results indicated that inositol may be required over the entire nymphal period, the need being greatest during the early stages of development.