Abstract
In the present study an attempt was made to qualitatively characterize the silk caps of the Oriental hornet as an instrument that picks up, stores or discharges electric energy. To this end, silk caps removed from hornet puparia were electrically charged for time intervals ranging between 5 minutes and 18 hours then allowed to discharge. The discharge current revealed two components and the results were processed by use of a fitting procedure. A dynamic dependence was detected between the charging time and the discharge time, and there were also peaks both at the amplitudes as well as during relaxation periods lasting 4-6 hours. The obtained data are discussed in the context of daily vespan activity in the natural nest.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 231-241 |
| Journal | Physiological Chemistry and Physics and Medical NMR |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 1997 |