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Hypothesis

Decline of Insects: Is Dust Emission Conflicting with Insects’ Tracheal System?

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Ulrich Thurm^*

This version is not peer-reviewed

Submitted:

05 September 2020

Posted:

05 September 2020

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Abstract

Is the extensive decline of insects partially due to an insect-specific feature of their functional organization that is disadvantageous for living in an industrialized environment? The unique way in which gases are supplied in insect tissues is such a special trait. It exposes cells directly to the gas phase, via tracheae that end in micro-tubes, the tracheoles, which have diameters in the same range as particles of ultra-fine dust transported by air of industrialized countries. Number and volume of these particles – calculated to be inhaled by honeybees, e.g., – are indicative to locally impede O2-uptake and CO2-release and thus to restrain physiological activities.

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Subject: Biology and Life Sciences - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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