A STARCH GEL ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY OF INSECT HEMOLYMPH PROTEINS

Abstract

Starch gel electrophoretic separations were obtained for the hemolymph proteins of 18 species of insects. The occurrence of a "common" protein fraction in the hemolymph of all of the insects studied was noted. Proteins migrating cathodically, in a manner similar to vertebrate γ-globulins, were found in all species except one. Lipoprotein and chromoprotein were identified in several species. A technique is described for the identification of a serum-albumin-like component in larvae of six Lepidoptera species and one Hymenoptera species. Qualitative protein ontogeny was studied in the development of larvae of the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, and to a lesser extent in the wasp, Vespula arenaria. During development, a progressive genesis of new hemolymph protein fractions occurred. Clonal variants of M. americanum were identified by different chromoproteins and the time of appearance during development of an additional migrating protein fraction. Clonal variation was studied in the sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei, and the range of variation observed compared with patterns obtained for three other Neodiprion species. Variation among individual larvae of the imperial moth, Eacles imperialis, was observed. The effects of starvation on the hemolymph protein patterns were noted in three species. It was concluded that the starch gel electrophoretic technique would be of greatest value at present in studies of intraspecific change and variation.