The composition of horse bot fly (Gastrophilus intestinalis) larva blood

Abstract

The presence of fructose in G. intestinalis hemolymph was demonstrated, together with one or more unidentified reducing substances which give a positive Seliwanoff reaction and are destroyed by yeast fermentation. The nature of the free amino acids in the blood was investigated by chromatography, and the results compared with those from other insects. Glutamine was estimated quantitatively in the blood of a number of species, and this amide, together with an unidentified phenolic amino acid, which is probably of importance in the darkening and hardening of the cuticle, are the major amino acid constituents in Gastrophilus hemolymph. In the maintenance of electroneutrality, chloride accounts for 7% and the organic acids so far determined for 22% of the total base. A considerable deficit in anions was found. On the basis of the present analyses, a physiological Gastrophilus saline soln. was devised for metabolic expts. on tissues from this insect in vitro.