Metamorphic changes in the cephalic neurosecretory cells and the retrocerebral neuroendocrine complex of Pericalia ricini Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Arctidae).
Aldehyde Fuchsin-positive (AF-positive) A-cells first appear in the pars intercerebralis of 4d old 1st instar larva. First sign of secretory activity is noted in 3d old 2nd instar. A gradual increase in the number of neurosecretory cells (NSC) is noted during successive larval instars. The secretion of neurosecretory material (NSM) is followed by the coalescence and finally release phases. This is a regular phenomenon, however, various NSC exhibit different phases of secretory activities at a particular time. In 4d old pupa, A4 and D-cells are absent in the tritocerebral region and in 7d, decrease in the number and size of AF-positive cells is noted. In 4-7d old pupae A4-cells are absent in the lateral region but are present in 8-10d old pupae. In unmated females 6A4-cells are present in the lateral region of the brain which are absent in unmated males. The optic region of unmated males and females have A4 and B2-cells whereas A2-cells are absent in the tritocerebrum of both the sexes. The total number of NSC in females is more than males. A1 and A3-cells of mated males and all the NSC of laid females lack NSM.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003335:Corpora Allata / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012741:Sexual Maturation