[Lipid metabolism of caddisfly larvae at low pH]

The influence of low pH (5.0 and 4.0) on lipid metabolism of caddisworms Hydropsyche contubernalis L. (Trichoptera) was studied in 48 h toxicity experiments. The results were correlated with lipid composition of caddisworms directly isolated from natural water. Phospholipids, cholesterol, mono-, di-, triacylglycerols, and fatty acids were detected by thin-layer and liquid chromatography. Minimal environmental changes were shown to initiate the biochemical adaptation mechanisms strengthening the cellular membranes through their condensation due to additional phospholipid and cholesterol synthesis. In the natural medium the adaptation processes are more active than in the artificial medium. More serious changes, such as pH decrease to 4.0, suppress the adaptation processes in the first medium and terminated them in the second one.