Analysis of the overwintering characteristics in the edible insect Clanis bilineata tsingtauica

Clanis bilineata tsingtauica, traditionally regarded as a major soybean pest in China, has recently gained recognition as a novel edible insect delicacy in China's food industry. However, knowledge gaps regarding its overwintering biology have constrained commercial development. This study systematically analyzed the overwintering behavior, supercooling point (SCPs) variation, and diapause characteristic of C. bilineata tsingtauica in Jiangsu Province. Our findings demonstrated that final instar larvae overwinter through facultative diapause, with diapause intensity reaching minimal levels in November. The supercooling points of overwintering larvae followed a normal distribution, with January specimens showing significantly lower SCPs compared to other months. Simulated experiments on larval digging behavior demonstrated that larval burrowing depth showed a slight negative correlation trend with ambient temperature, but the difference was not significant. These results provide crucial insights into the overwintering physiology of C. bilineata tsingtauica, establishing a scientific foundation for its commercial production.