Temperature and relative humidity

Relative humidites and temperatures were recorded and were taken in the immediate proximity of laboratory experiments. The first laboratory experiment was conducted in an outdoor insectary between the 4th and 22nd of July where there were extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity. The temperature during this time exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit each day, only to be frequently followed by abrupt drops to less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the same evening. Similarly, the relative humidity varied greatly during this period. Only in rare instances would it exceed 60 per cent and then only in the early part of the morning before sunrise. The lowest readings were always recorded in the early afternoon when the relative humidity would frequently drop to percentages in the lower twenties.

The second, third and fourth laboratory experiments were conducted in a greenhouse which afforded a more favorable environment with respect to maintenance of earwigs in an active state. Atmospheric conditions in the greenhouse were regulated to a large extent by water coolers and by soaking the sand under the petri dishes with water. The temperature in the greenhouse never exceeded 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with the lows recorded being on t he average in the middle fifties. The relative humidity was high at all times and was never allowed to drop below 48 per cent. The relative humidity in the petri dishes where the earwigs were confined was somewhat higher than recorded by the apparatus due to the presence of a water-soaked piece of cellucotton each dish.