EGG MATURATION IN MOSQUITOES NOT REGULATED BY CORPORA ALLATA

Implantation of extra corpora allata from either autogenous or anautogenous donors did not stimulate egg maturation in anautogenous Aedes aegypti or Culex pipiens pipiens fed only on sugar, contrary to the report of Larsen. Implantation of a cockroach corpus allatum did not induce egg maturation in anautogenous mosquitoes fed on sugar, although the corpora allata of larval or adult cockroaches were shown to function in A. aegypti. Therefore, the effect of Larsen and Bodenstein's whole cockroach extract on mosquitoes may not have been due to corpus allatum hormone. Anautogenous Culex and Aedes, allatectomized 3 to 5 days after emergence, matured eggs following a blood meal. Therefore, the corpora allata had already secreted sufficient hormone for maturation of the anautogenous ovary before the first blood meal. © 1969.