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Activity of the corpora allata during pupal diapause in mimas tiliae (lepidoptera)

1958; The Company of Biologists; Volume: S3-99; Issue: 46 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1242/jcs.s3-99.46.171

1477-9137

K.C. Highnam,

Animal Behavior and Reproduction

ABSTRACT Histological observation indicates that the corpora allata of Mimas tiliae are secretory during pupal diapause, but become inactive by the end of the low-temperature period which terminates diapause. Removal of the corpora allata, together with the corpora cardiaca, from the dia- pausing pupa increases the thickness of the hypodermis and decreases the number of fat-body inclusions (compared with operated controls), but does not result in any visible signs of diapause break. The oxygen uptake of the pupa increases by about 60% by the end of the low- temperature period, compared with the diapausing pupa. It is probable that the corpora allata play some part in the maintenance of diapause, possibly by exercising some control over the fat-body metabolism. This role is subservient to that of the neurosecretory cells in the brain, together with their associated corpora cardiaca.