In vitro cultivation of hemocytes of Malacosoma disstria Hübner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Abstract

Prolonged culturing of the hemocytes of Malacosoma disstria has been accomplished using Grace's insect tissue culture medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (5%) and Bombyx mori hemolymph (3%). The cultures started to grow after 3–6 months. These cells have now been in vitro for over 16 months, and have been subcultured 35 times. Three types of cells were present in primary cultures, but only one type, prohemocytes, persisted and grew after subculturing. The M. disstria larvae that were used as the original source of hemocytes were naturally infected with the microsporidian Glugea disstriae. The microsporidian also grew in [he cell cultures, and the cells are still infected.