EFFECTS OF PUPA LIGATIONS ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADULT FEMALE SAWFLY, NEODIPRION SERTIFER (HYMENOPTERA: DIPRIONIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractLigation experiments were conducted on freshly-ecdysed pupae of Neodiprion sertifer (Geoff.) to help identify sources of hormones which might control development of cuticle, rate of heartbeat, egg production, and uric acid depletion in adult females. Ligatures behind the head or thorax have little or no effect on apolysis of abdominal cuticle. Cuticle tanning and initiation of yolk formation are inhibited exclusively by ligatures behind the thorax. Increase in heartbeat rate and ovary weights is inhibited slightly by ligatures behind the head and almost completely by those behind the thorax. Uric acid depletion is inhibited equally by both ligations. The results are discussed in relation to current knowledge of the anatomy of endocrine organs in sawflies and insect endocrine functions in general.