Abstract

The reproductive and diapausing adult females of brachypterous morph and macropterous females with reproductive arrest of non-diapause type, originating from the laboratory cultures of Pyrrhocoris apterus, were studied for their feeding and drinking behaviour, digestive enzyme activities, and carbohydrate and lipid contents. The highest feeding and drinking activities were observed in reproductive brachypters, the lowest in macropters. Macropters also differed from brachypters by lower activities of gut lipase, peptidase and protease, lower concentration of haemolymph sugars, and lower weight of fat body, which probably reflects their low feeding activity. The total content of fat body lipids was also lower in macropters (0.6 mg) than in reproductive and diapausing brachypters (4.6 and 7.5 mg, respectively) on day 14. A very high amount of glycogen was found in the fat body of diapausing brachypters, 363 μg on day 14, as opposed to 15 and 80 μg in macropterous and reproductive brachypterous females, respectively. The obtained data indicate that the most important difference between macropterous and brachypterous females with different types of reproductive arrest consists of an enhanced mobilization of lipids for dispersal in macropters and accumulation of energetic reserves for hibernation in brachypters.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.