Formosan Entomologist (2005) 25, 131-143

Seiji Tanaka (2005)
Hormonal control of phase polyphenism in locusts
Formosan Entomologist 25 (3), 131-143
Abstract: Uvarov (1921) proposed the phase polymorphism theory almost a century ago. Since then much information has accumulated on the mechanisms of outbreaks and phase changes in locusts. In spite of the intensive studies by many pioneer researchers, the hormonal control of phase-related variations in body color and morphological traits remained obscure until recently. Using an albino strain of Locusta migratoria as a bioassay system, the dark-color inducing neuropeptides extracted from L. migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria were determined to be identical to Scham-corazonin. Injection of this neuropeptide not only induces various solitarious body colors but also black and orange coloration characteristically observed in gregarious nymphs of L. migratoria irrespective of the rearing density. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that injection of corazonin causes solitarious locusts to develop morphological characters (body dimensions and antennal sensilla) similar to those observed for gregarious adults in the two locust species. These results suggest that corazonin may play an important role in the control of phase-related characters in locusts.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Seiji Tanaka

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Schistocerca gregaria
	Locusta migratoria