ROLE OF THE MEDIAN NEUROSECRETORY-CELLS IN SECRETION OF PROTEASE AND INVERTASE IN THE RED COTTON BUG, DYSDERCUS-CINGULATUS

Adult female Dysdercus cingulatus which feed on cotton seeds shows a decrease in midgut protease and invertase after extirpation of the median neurosecretory cells (mnc). This is reversed after implantation of fresh active mnc into the operated insects if they are allowed to feed on cotton seeds. However, when these insects are fed only on sucrose solution after implantation of mnc, protease or invertase does not increase. A significant decrease in food consumption is also noticed after ablation of the mnc which is reversed by their implantation. It is suggested that the mnc stimulate food consumption and that this ingested food in turn stimulates the digestive enzyme activity through a secretogogue mechanism in Dysdercus cingulatus. © 1979.