THE HAEMOCYTES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH, EPHESTIA KÜHNIELLA ZELL. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDIDAE)

Abstract

The haemocytes of the Mediterranean flour moth were arranged in four classes, prohaemocytes, plasmatocytes, spheroidocytes, and oenocytoids, by a modification of Yeager's classification system for the haemocytes of the southern army worm. Total and differential haemocyte counts were made in each stage of the insects' development. Total cell numbers increased gradually during larval life and reached their maximum in the prepupal period. They decreased markedly during pupation and remained at a low level during adult life. Plasmatocytes and spheroidocytes accounted for more than 90% of the total cells in most stages. The plasmatocytes were in the majority during most of the larval life but were superseded by the spheroidocytes in the prepupal period. The spheroidocytes also increased in numbers when larvae were subjected to certain abnormal conditions. Histochemical tests showed that the spheroidocytes were sites for the accumulation of neutral fats just before pupation.