CHANGES IN NITROGENOUS COMPOUNDS DURING METAMORPHOSIS OF BLOWFLY LUCILIA CUPRINA

Changes in the concentration of individual amino acids in the protein, peptides, and free amino acid pools of Lucilia cuprina have been followed during pupal and pharate adult development. The most pronounced variations in individual compounds were in the aromatic amino acids and glutamate; changes were most marked in the amino acids of the protein fraction. The losses of amino nitrogen have been correlated with the accumulation of the excretory product, uric acid, and with the respiratory metabolism of the insect. Failure to demonstrate variations in the proteolytic capacity of the insect is in accord with the suggestion that there is extensive and direct incorporation of larval protein during adult development. © 1969.