EFFECT OF 5-THIO-D-GLUCOSE ON INSECT DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ABSORPTION BY INSECTS

The effect of 5-thio-d-glucose on the development of larvae of Drosophila melanogaster Meig. and its absorption in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), were investigated. A medium was produced which contained dried yeast and d-glucopyranose in amounts barely adequate to support the development of Drosophila larvae. d-Thioglucose incorporated into this medium at 0·03 times the molar concentration of d-glucose completely counteracted the nutritional benefits of d-glucose. American cockroaches were fed meals of d-thioglucose in aqueous solution. The distribution of the thiosugar was determined and compared with the distribution of d-glucose in cockroaches similarly fed with the latter sugar. The two sugars were absorbed and distributed among haemolymph, fat body, and the major portions of the gut in essentially the same way. Noteworthy differences were pointed out and discussed. © 1968.