Fat body changes in a locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), parasitized by a nemestrinid fly

Martin A. Horwood*, Dinah F. Hales

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The fat body of Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) parasitized by Trichopsidea oestracea (Westwood) (Diptera: Nemestrinidae) was hypertrophied and showed extensive cytological and functional changes. Lipid content (as a percentage of dry weight) was significantly higher in parasitized locusts. Regression of lipid content against parasitoid weight was quadratic in female hosts and linear (negative) in male hosts. The fatty acid composition of C. terminifera was not affected by parasitization. Parasitized male locusts had lower body weight than nonparasitized males and contained less soluble protein. Results indicated that egg development was inhibited in parasitized female locusts. These conditions may be related to changes in the host's fat body.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)53-63
    Number of pages11
    JournalArchives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology
    Volume17
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1991

    Keywords

    • fatty acid
    • host‐parasitoid relations
    • Trichopsidea oestracea

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