Original paper

Starvation Effects on the Endocrine Control of Metamorphosis in the Small Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella

Boguś, Mieczyslawa I.; Szolajska, Ewa

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Entomologia Generalis Volume 19 Number 4 (1995), p. 225 - 237

40 references

published: Apr 1, 1995

DOI: 10.1127/entom.gen/19/1995/225

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ArtNo. ESP146001904002, Price: 14.30 €

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Abstract

Effects of starvation on late larval development was studied in Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus 1758). 48 h of feeding is required by the last instar larva (L7) to induce pupation. Starvation of day-l L7 followed by refeeding delayed metamorphosis and resulted in occasional appearance of supernumerary larval moults or permanent larvae. When applied to chilled or hydroprene treated larvae, additional moults were merely delayed. Starvation to prior such treatments extended the period of sensitivity to both of them. Starvation of day-l larvae resulted in an increased titre of juvenile hormone, refeeding in a decrease. Possible causal, relationships with brain allatotropic activity and juvenile hormone degradation by specific esterases were evidenced and discussed.

Keywords

Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus 1758) • starvation • juvenile hormone • juvenile hormone esterase • supernumerary larval moults