DIVERSITY OF CELL TYPES IN NEUROSECRETORY SYSTEM OF BEETLE BLAPS MUCRONATA

The neurosecretory systems of the larva and adult of Blaps mucronata were examined by histological techniques. This revealed a greater diversity of cell types than has previously been reported for an insect. There are thirteen distinct types of cell which show evidence of secretory activity. There are four groups of neurosecretory cells in the brain of the larva and three in the brain of the adult. Several distinct types of neurosecretory cells are found in the ventral ganglia. Their distribution in the metathoracic and terminal abdominal ganglia of the adult reflects the compound origins of these ganglia. The different types of cell have been compared with the neurosecretory cells described in other species. © 1969.