The imaginal ecdysis of the desert locust, <i>Schistocerca gregaria.</i>

Hughes, T. D.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1980.tb00222.x

Cited by 36 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…This means that the locust will only attempt to kick or jump in the most exceptional circumstances. An unwillingness or inability to jump has been recognised as a behavioural indicator of the imminence of a moult (Hughes, 1980). Second, the characteristic motor pattern that generates a normal kick or a jump (Burrows, 1995;Heitler and Burrows, 1977) is not produced by newly moulted locusts (Norman, 1995); the extensor and flexor muscles do not co-contract in such a way that enables energy to be generated slowly and then stored.…”

Section: Development Of Jumping Abilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and deposition of resilin in energy stores for locust jumping

Burrows

2016

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Locusts jump by using a catapult mechanism in which energy produced by slow contractions of the extensor tibiae muscles of the hind legs is stored in distortions of the exoskeleton, most notably (1) the two semi-lunar processes at each knee joint and (2) the tendons of the extensor muscles themselves. The energy is then suddenly released from these stores to power the rapid, propulsive movements of the hind legs. The reliance on the mechanical storage of energy is likely to impact on jumping because growth occurs by a series of five moults, at each of which the exoskeleton is replaced by a new one. All developmental stages (instars) nevertheless jump as a means of forward locomotion, or as an escape movement. Here, I show that in each instar, resilin is added to the semi-lunar processes and to the core of the extensor tendons so that their thickness increases. As the next moult approaches, a new exoskeleton forms within the old one, with resilin already present in the new semi-lunar processes. The old exoskeleton, the tendons and their resilin are discarded at moulting. The resilin of the semi-lunar processes and tendons of the new instar is initially thin, but a similar pattern of deposition results in an increase of their thickness. In adults, resilin continues to be deposited so that at 4 weeks old the thickness in the semi-lunar processes has increased fourfold. These changes in the energy stores accompany changes in jumping ability and performance during each moulting cycle.

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Section: Development Of Jumping Abilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and deposition of resilin in energy stores for locust jumping

Burrows

2016

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…A number of different species swallow fluids or air before or during ecdysis in order to split the old cuticle (Grieve, 1937;Passano, 1960;Dall and Smith, 1978;Reynolds, 1980;Richardson and Baker, 1996;Chung et al, 1999;Phlippen et al, 2000). Soon after emergence, locusts, blowflies and crickets swallow air to aid in the expansion of their appendages (Carlson and O'Gara, 1983;Cottrell, 1962;Hughes, 1980). During much of adult development, Manduca's foregut is silent (Miles and Booker, 1998).…”

Section: Mechanism Of Foregut Modulation During the Moltmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modulation of foregut synaptic activity controls resorption of molting fluid during larval molts of the mothManduca sexta

Bestman

Booker

2003

Journal of Experimental Biology

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The regulation and organization of a variety of stereotyped behaviors are essential for many aspects of animal development. One such collection is a series of ecdysial-related motor programs that lead to the shedding of an insect's old cuticle during a molt. Like all insects, the growth of larval Manduca sexta moths is limited by its inelastic cuticle. Consequently, growing larvae undergo a series of molts in which the old cuticle is shed and replaced by a new, larger cuticle. The two ecdysial-related motor patterns that have been the focus of much attention are the pre-ecdysis and ecdysis motor programs, which serve to loosen and then propel the old cuticle off the insect at the end of the molt, respectively (Copenhaver and Truman, 1982;Miles and Weeks, 1991; Ž itňan and Adams, 2000). The analysis of these two simple motor programs has served as a model system for the role of hormones in coordinating stereotyped behaviors. However, pre-ecdysis and ecdysis behaviors define the end of a series of ecdysial-related motor patterns that can stretch over several days. The first external sign that a Manduca larva has entered the molt cycle is apolysis, or the detachment of the old and new cuticles from one another as molting fluid (MF), a cocktail of digestive enzymes, is secreted by the epidermis into the exuvial space (the space between the old and new cuticles) where it degrades and weakens the old cuticle. Once degraded, the digested components of the exuvia and the MF are absorbed, leaving behind a thin, papery outer cuticle to be shed during ecdysis.The secretion of MF and its resorption many hours later are among a series of molt-related events that must be precisely coordinated during the molt cycle. While the removal of the MF prior to ecdysis is a feature common to all insect molts, there is no consensus on the mechanisms used to remove the MF from the exuvial space. It has often been reported that MF is resorbed across the newly formed cuticle and epidermis (Jungreis, 1979;Reynolds and Samuels, 1996;Wigglesworth, 1972). This conclusion is based on the studies of the larval molt of the bug Rhodnius prolixus (Wigglesworth, 1933(Wigglesworth, , 1972 and the pupal-adult molt of the silkworm Hyalophora cecropia (Lensky et al., 1970;Passonneau and Williams, 1953). These studies concluded that MF is absorbed into the hemocoel by passing through pores in the new cuticle.There is also evidence suggesting that the gut serves as a route for the removal of MF. Wachter (1930) We examined the role of the foregut in the resorption of molting fluid (MF) from the exuvial space during the last larval-larval molt of the moth Manduca sexta. In intermolt larvae, the activity of the foregut is characterized by robust peristaltic contractions. With the onset of the molt, MF is secreted into the exuvial space where it digests and weakens the old cuticle. The appearance of MF in the exuvial space is accompanied by a dramatic reduction in the amplitude of the foregut contractions. Foregut peristalsis returned about halfway through ...

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“…Aquatic crustaceans inflate to a larger size by using water; however, like many insects [4][5][6][7] , the land crab G. lateralis inflates its foregut with gas 8,9 . Recently moulted crabs remain soft for several days before the new skeleton hardens sufficiently to support the forces of muscle contraction.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%