The haemocytes and their classification in the larvae and pupae of Mamestra brassicae (L.) 1758 (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

Abstract

Six types of free haemocytes, viz., prohaemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes, oenocytoids, and cystocytes were distinguished in the haemolymph of larvae of the third to sixth instars, prepupae, and pupae of Mamestra brassicae. The haemolymph also contained sporadic adipohaemocytes (a type of granulocyte). Different observation techniques showed only small differences in proportion between (i) living and (ii) fixed and stained cells, and none of the staining techniques showed any differences in staining capacity among haemocytes taken from different instars and from prepuae and pupae of different ages. Both Giemsa and Pappenheim staining gave similar results except for the spherulocytes and granulocytes. The total cell counts per μL of haemolymph were 15 000 to 22 000. In the larvae and the prepupa, plasmatocytes (25–58%) and granulocytes (28–48%) occurred in the highest proportions. The first five cell types mentioned above were found to divide in larvae; the first three and the oenocytoids also divided in the prepupa.