The `Inka cell' and its associated cells: ultrastructure of the epitracheal glands in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar

Abstract

The epitracheal glands in pharate and young pupae of Lymantria dispar are located at the base of ventrolateral tracheal trunks in the prothoracic and first through eighth abdominal segments. Each gland is composed of four cells the ultrastructure of which is described in this paper. One large cell and one smaller cell have an endocrine function, while a third cell is exocrine. A fourth cell forms a canal running from the exocrine cell into the trachea. The large endocrine cell, but not the smaller endocrine cell has released its secretions in freshly moulted pupae. The exocrine cell is assumed to be involved in the pupal moult events as well. The physiological role of the different cell types is discussed: The large endocrine cell (type I endocrine cell) is supposedly homologous with the `Inka cell', which produces ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH) and was previously described in Manduca sexta; the functions of the smaller endocrine cell (type II endocrine cell) and the exocrine cell remain unknown.