Hormonal control of larval coloration in the armyworm, Leucania separata

Abstract

Leucania separata larvae show various degrees of darkening depending on the population density. A ligature applied behind the thorax of crowded or yellow solitary larvae caused black or reddish brown pigmentation in the anterior part after the larval ecdysis. Extirpation of the brain, the corpus cardiacumcorpus allatum complexes, or the suboesophageal ganglion reduced the degree of melanization in the crowded larvae, lack of the suboesophageal ganglion having a particularly striking effect. Transplantation of 3 complexes of brain-corpora cardiaca-corpora allata-suboesophageal ganglion induced intense black pigmentation in the isolated abdomens of crowded larvae and reddish brown pigmentation with some melanization in the isolated abdomens of yellow solitary larvae, though the melanization in the latter was weaker than in the former. Implantation of these organs or of the suboesophageal ganglia into yellow solitary larvae caused black and reddish brown pigmentation after a larval ecdysis. In the pieces of integument implanted into the body cavity of crowded larvae, melanization occurred after ecdysis, whereas it did not occur in most of the fragments implanted in yellow solitary larvae. Transplantation of corpora allata and other organs from solitary larvae or injection of juvenile hormone into crowded larvae did not inhibit melanization.