Transovarial transmission ofNosema locustae (Microsporida: Nosematidae) in the migratory locustLocusta migratoria migratorioides

Nosema locustae, a microsporidian parasite of locusts and grasshoppers, was transovarially transmitted to the progeny of infectedLocusta migratoria reared for up to F14 generations. The mortality of infected progeny in each generation was higher than that of uninfected controls and ranged from 67.6% to 95.5%. Infected female survivors transmitted the microsporidium to the progeny via eggs. The developing eggs harboured vegetative stages ofN. locustae, and development of the microsporidium occurred during embryonation. Spores accumulated in the yolk and, after blastokinesis, both the yolk and the spores were enclosed in the midgut of the embryo. germinated spores infected the functional midgut epithelium and invaded internal tissues. The mortality of newly hatched instars was high when embryonic tissue had been infected during development.     

Cephalic neuroendocrine system of the buffalo-fly, Lyperosia exigua (De Meijere) (Diptera: Muscidae)

In the adult buffalo-fly, L. exigua three groups of neurosecretory cells are present in each half of the brain; medial and lateral groups in the protocerebrum and ventral group in the tritocerebral region. The cerebral neurosecretory cells are classified as A and B cells. Both the cells are present in the medial, lateral and ventral groups. Histochemically, the neurosecretory material of these cells is composed of neutral mucopolysaccharides and proteins. The A cells are rich in cystine or cysteine amino acids, whereas B cells either lack them or may contain in negligible quantity but are rich in basic amino acids. A single pair or nerves, nervi corporis cardiaci, emerges out of the brain and merges with the recurrent nerve which later on enters the corpus cardiacum and terminates into the hypocerebral ganglion. The corpus cardiacum primarily functions as storage organ for cerebral neurosecretory material and secondarily may also produce its own hormone. The corpus allatum is composed of a single type of cells and some times it appears as syncytial structure. Cerebral neurosecretory material is never found in the corpus allatum.     

Scarab Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae) of Vidarbha,India, with Notes on Distribution

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Surveys for collection of scarab beetles of different habitats of the Vidarbha region of Central India were...