Studies on cell number and the progression factor in the growth of Japanese beetle larvae (Popillia japonica Newman)

Abstract

AbstractIncreases in weight, total body length, and width and length of the head capsule of Japanese beetle larvae were studied. Since the progression factors decreased with succeeding molts and exhibited considerable variation it was concluded that Przibram's principle is inapplicable. Cells were counted in the mid‐intestine and brain. Columnar cells of the mid‐intestine were measured. The data show: (a) No increase in cell number occurs at the time of molting. (b) The progression in weight and length cannot be correlated with an increase in cell number. In the first instar the progression for increase in weight was 5.73; while for increase in cell number, it was 1.67 for the mid‐intestine, and 1.19 for the brain. In the second instar, the corresponding figures were 5.24, 1.98 and 1.69. In the third instar average weight increased 3.18 times, but there was practically no increase in cell number. Thus, molting does not represent a definite increase in number of cells of the insect's body as suggested by Przibram and Megusar, and Bodenheimer's method of calculating cell divisions seems to have no factual basis. Increase in size of the larva is largely due to an increase in cell size. The ratio of increase in total cell volume of the columnar cells of the mid‐intestine is approximately equal to the ratio of weight increase.