Phenoloxidase and Melanization Innate Immune Activities in Green Darner Dragonfly Nymphs (<i>Anax junius</i>)

Insects in the Order Odonata are highly subject to infection by gregarine parasites. However, despite important ecological roles that insects play every ecosystem which they exist, little research has been devoted description of insect immunity. rely heavily on rapid actions innate immune mechanisms prevent infection. We characterized melanization response hemolymph green darner dragonfly (Anax junius) nymphs. Incubation chymotrypsin-activated with L-DOPA resulted volume- and time-dependent production dopaquinone via phenoloxidase (PO) enzyme, biphasic accumulation product. The PO activity was temperature-dependent, a stepwise increase from 20℃ - 35℃ maximum measured at 40℃. formation product also inhibited concentration-dependent manner diethylcarbonate, specific inhibitor activity, indicated observed due presence enzyme. rate quantity melanin dependent exposure different titers bacteria. This is first characterization both dragonflies.