Abstract
The possible rôle of the stiffened salivary glands in inhibiting metamorphosis of last-instar chilled Galleria mellonella was explored. Inhibitory effects of chilling on the salivary glands and delayed development of the whole animal were clearly correlated. In animals less than 3 days post-ecdysis, the salivary glands accounted for less than 4% of the total body weight; chilling these animals resulted in an increased number of supernumerary apolyses and accelerated developmental time. From 4 to 10 days post-ecdysis, when the salivary glands accounted for 5% or more of total body weight, chilling significantly delayed larval-pupal ecdysis. Reduction of the dimensions of the salivary glands by prior space deprivation significantly reduced the effects of chilling. Extirpation of the salivary glands eliminated the chill effect, whereas insertion of a 7 mm piece of tubing into the body mimicked the effect. These results suggest that chill-stiffened salivary glands may mechanically inhibit development.
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