Molting fluid

Nevertheless, ascorbic acid levels In both the molting fluid and the hemolymph of phytoeedysone-trented larvae are comparable to those levels found In untreated larvae. In addition, phenoloxldase activity, as measured with catechol substrate. Is actually less In phytoecdysone-lnduced larvae as compared to control larvae. 

These negative results do not eliminate the Involvement In ecdysls Inhibition of other biochemical parameters In the molting fluid, l.e. chltlnase, protease, but do seem to Indicate that premature phenoloxldase-catalysed cuticle hardening Is not the cause for phytoecdysone-lnduced failed ecdysls. 

Table 3. Comparison of phenoloxldase activity, protein, and ascorbic acid levels In the molt fluid and ascorbic acid levels In the hemoljanph approximately 36 hr following apolysls to the 5th Instar. B. moxn. larvae were Injected per os at 4th Instar 2nd day with 10 pi 30X aq/EtOH alone or with 10 jjl 30X aq/EtOH + phyto-ecdysone 25 larvae were used/treatment/parameter and analyzed.

The small males of Nephila clavata cohabit with the much larger females in their web, and copulation takes place immediately after the final molt. Olfactometer tests showed that freshly molted females are much more attractive than older ones. Acetone extracts of the body surface of freshly molted females contained the active principle. Miyashita and Hayashi (1996) suggested that the volatile signal may originate from the molting fluid. 

The rhabdoviruses were proposed to affect migration of vesicles to the cell apices and the activation of the molting fluid. The function of the pox virus is not yet known but could relate to the changes in the hemolymph levels of ecdysteroids, JH, and JH esterases (53). 

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