Endocrinology of reproduction and phase transition in locusts.
In the last decade, important progress has been made in the experimental analysis of the endocrine mechanisms controlling reproduction and phase transition in locusts. Phase transition is a very fascinating, but complex, phenomenon of phenotypic plasticity that is triggered by changes in population density and can lead to the formation of extremely devastating hopper bands and adult gregarious locust swarms. While some phase characteristics change within hours, others appear more gradually in the next stage(s), or even in the next generation(s). In adults, the phase status also has a major influence on the process of reproduction. A better understanding of how solitarious locusts become gregarious and how this switch affects reproductive physiology may result in novel strategies to fight locust plagues. In this paper, we will review the current knowledge concerning this close interaction between locust phase polyphenism and reproduction.
Verlinden
Heleen
H
Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, K.U.Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium.
Badisco
Liesbeth
L
Marchal
Elisabeth
E
Van Wielendaele
Pieter
P
Vanden Broeck
Jozef
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D011156:Population Density; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal
D007301:Insect Hormones; D019476:Insect Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; C120412:histidyl(7)-corazonin