Multiplicity of Neurosecretory Cell Types and Groups in the Brain of the Saturniid Moth Hyalophora cecropia (L.)

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As part of an extensive investigation of the anatomy and histology of the known endocrine organs of Hyalophora cecropia in the last 2 larval stages and in pupae and adults, we have examined the brain neurosecretory (NS) cells utilizing paraffin sections and the standard NS stains, paraldehyde-fuchsin (PAF) with counterstains and chrome-haematoxylin (CH) with phloxine. Previous workers1,2 had reported the existence of 26 apparently identical NS cells in the brain of this insect. Our results demonstrate the presence of at least 40 such cells and provide histological evidence for the occurrence of several distinct functional types.