Juvenile hormone esterase activity in developmentally synchronous ultimate stadium larvae of the migrant insect, Anticarsia gemmatalis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1986

Abstract

Growth and development of cumulatively aged velvetbean caterpiller (Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner) larvae were characterized on the basis of weight, stadium and gate. Criteria were developed for the selection of synchronous ultimate (5th)-stadium larvae before they entered the ultimate stadium. Using synchronous larvae, precise determinations were made of haemolymph juvenile hormone III esterase activity, α-naphthyl acetate esterase activity and protein concentration. The first of two juvenile hormone III esterase activity peaks coincided with the time of maximal weight gain while the second peak coincided with formation of the prepupa. Juvenile hormones (5 × 10-6 M) I, II and III were hydrolyzed at similar rates. The α-naphthyl acetate esterase activity and protein patterns differed from the pattern of juvenile hormone III esterase activity. A major peak of α-naphthyl acetate esterase activity was observed during the wandering phase of the penultimate and ultimate stadia. Haemolymph protein concentration increased to a peak, which coincided with the initiation of wandering, and then decreased through pupation. © 1986.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Insect Physiology

First Page

1055

Last Page

1063

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