title: Neural and hormonal control of postecdysial behaviors in insects.
abstract: The shedding of the old exoskeleton that occurs in insects at the end of a molt (a process called ecdysis) is typically followed by the expansion and tanning of a new one. At the adult molt, these postecdysial processes include expansion and hardening of the wings. Here we describe recent advances in understanding the neural and hormonal control of wing expansion and hardening, focusing on work using Drosophila melanogaster in which genetic manipulations have permitted detailed investigation of postecdysial processes and their modulation by sensory input. To place this work in context, we briefly review recent progress in understanding the neuroendocrine regulation of ecdysis, which appears to be largely conserved across insect species. Investigations into the neuroendocrine networks that regulate ecdysial and postecdysial behaviors provide insights into how stereotyped, yet environmentally responsive, sequences are generated and how they develop and evolve.
authors.affiliation: Section on Neural Function, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; email: benjaminwhite@mail.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Benjamin H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ewer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D018978:Molting; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D007301:Insect Hormones