Changes in reproductive parameters in aging females of solitary phase Schistocerca gregaria

Authors:
  • JDJ. F. Dale
    J. F. Dale
  • HIH. S. Injeyan
    H. S. Injeyan
  • STS. S. Tobe
    S. S. Tobe
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Abstract
The proportion of resorbing basal oocytes was higher in aging than in young solitary female Schistocerca gregaria and the haemolymph vitellogenin available to the maturing oocytes in late gonotrophic cycles was undiminished or even increased in comparison with early gonotrophic cycles. Nevertheless eggs in late pods from solitary females showed only a very modest size increase over those from early pods, particularly in comparison with the size increase which resulted from crowding solitary females. Hatchlings emerging from late pods, like those from early pods, were largely of the solitary phase.A remarkable cyclicity of haemolymph vitellogenin titres was observed during gonotrophic cycles in aging females, the maximal titre almost always following closely upon the oviposition which marked the beginning of the cycle.