Hemolymph Proteins of Developing Pieris rapae Larvae Parasitized by Apanteles glomeratus1, 2

Abstract

The effects of the parasite, Apanteles glomeratus L., on the hemolymph simple and conjugated proteins of developing Pieris rapae (L.) were studied. Hemolymph protein concentration of both nonparasitized and parasitized insects followed a cyclical pattern related to the molting sequence. The maximum titer found was lower for parasitized than nonparasitized larvae. The latter could result from failure of ecdysial gland activation, or absence of sequestered protein, as would be expected if the host was no longer programmed for pupation. Electrophoretic patterns revealed 29 different protein bands in nonparasitized insects, although a maximum of 24 was detected at any one time. Eleven of these bands were conjugated. Most of these were associated with the slower moving fractions. Six bands were absent from parasitized individuals, 2 of these were suggested as being involved in the initiation of metamorphosis. Three additional bands from parasitized P. rapae were altered in varying degrees. These data would indicate that parasitization influenced the endocrine system maintaining host biosynthseis in a juvenile state.