Bulletin of the National Speleological Society - ISSN 0146-9517
Volume 26 Number 3: 115-118 - July 1964

A publication of the National Speleological Society

Cave Migration of Certain Insects
Judson D. Ives

Abstract

As early as late September the Thysanuran Machilis variabilis, began its cave migration into Delaps Cave, Hamblen County, Tennessee. The female mosquito, Anopheles punctipennis, began entering the cave for the winter months in October. The camel cricket, Ceuthophilus gracilipes gracilipes began its entrance into the cave in November. The insects did not penetrate the deep dark interior of the cave. The insects migrated to the cave when the temperature was between 40°F and 50°F, and the relative humidity was between 80% and 90%. The light intensity was between 150 and 200 foot candles. When the cave and outside temeratures and relative humidities were practically the same light might have materially influenced their entrance into the cave. When the insects left the cave the increasing outside temperatures may have played a major role in their outward migration.

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