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Soldier determination in Pheidole bicarinata: Effect of methoprene on caste and size within castes

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wheeler, DE; Frederik Nijhout, H
Published in: Journal of Insect Physiology
January 1, 1983

Topical application of methoprene to final-instar larvae of the ant Pheidole bicarinata can induce soldier development. Soldier induction takes place if methoprene levels are above a soldier-determining threshold during a critical period of juvenile hormone-sensitivity that occurs during about days 4-6 of the final instar. Furthermore, the amount of exogenous methoprene applied affects the timing of metamorphosis and the adult size in both the minor worker and soldier castes. When larvae that receive methoprene treatment become minor workers these are always larger than acetone-treated controls. In larvae that become soldiers, growth and timing of metamorphosis vary with the dose of methoprene, but in a more complex way. A high dose of methoprene produces a metamorphic delay and large soldiers. However, the lowest effective dose for soldier induction produces early metamorphosis and small adults. On the basis of these results, we have expanded our model of a mechanism by which juvenile hormone could control determination of worker castes in Pheidole bicarinata. © 1983.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Insect Physiology

DOI

ISSN

0022-1910

Publication Date

January 1, 1983

Volume

29

Issue

11

Start / End Page

847 / 854

Related Subject Headings

  • Entomology
  • 3208 Medical physiology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 0608 Zoology
  • 0606 Physiology
  • 0604 Genetics
 

Citation

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Wheeler, D. E., & Frederik Nijhout, H. (1983). Soldier determination in Pheidole bicarinata: Effect of methoprene on caste and size within castes. Journal of Insect Physiology, 29(11), 847–854. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(83)90151-8
Wheeler, D. E., and H. Frederik Nijhout. “Soldier determination in Pheidole bicarinata: Effect of methoprene on caste and size within castes.” Journal of Insect Physiology 29, no. 11 (January 1, 1983): 847–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(83)90151-8.
Wheeler DE, Frederik Nijhout H. Soldier determination in Pheidole bicarinata: Effect of methoprene on caste and size within castes. Journal of Insect Physiology. 1983 Jan 1;29(11):847–54.
Wheeler, D. E., and H. Frederik Nijhout. “Soldier determination in Pheidole bicarinata: Effect of methoprene on caste and size within castes.” Journal of Insect Physiology, vol. 29, no. 11, Jan. 1983, pp. 847–54. Scopus, doi:10.1016/0022-1910(83)90151-8.
Wheeler DE, Frederik Nijhout H. Soldier determination in Pheidole bicarinata: Effect of methoprene on caste and size within castes. Journal of Insect Physiology. 1983 Jan 1;29(11):847–854.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Insect Physiology

DOI

ISSN

0022-1910

Publication Date

January 1, 1983

Volume

29

Issue

11

Start / End Page

847 / 854

Related Subject Headings

  • Entomology
  • 3208 Medical physiology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 0608 Zoology
  • 0606 Physiology
  • 0604 Genetics