Developmental and diel changes of adipokinetic hormone in CNS and haemolymph of the flightless wing-polymorphic bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.)

We have used an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for determination of the AKH content in CNS (brain + corpora cardiaca + corpora allata) and haemolymph of adult macropterous and brachypterous females of the bug Pyrrhocoris apterus. The tests revealed that the AKH content fluctuates between 1 and almost 4 pmol/CNS during the first 14 days of adult life and significantly increased in order diapausing brachypters<reproductive brachypters<macropters. The titre of AKH in haemolymph is detectable mostly only in macropterous females during that period; in reproductive or diapausing brachypterous females keeps mostly below the detectable limit—1 fmol/μl. There are significant changes of AKH content in CNS and haemolymph of 10-day-old macropterous females during a 24 h period, with the highest values at about 10 h after the onset of light and at second half of the light period, respectively. The diel changes of AKH content in CNS are positively correlated with diel changes of adipokinetic response to AKH. Immunohistochemistry revealed that almost all reactive material is localized in the posterior part of the corpora cardiaca, and just a small amount in a few cell groups and axons distributed over the whole brain.