Digestive proteinase activities of Artemesia longinaris were assayed at different stages of the molting cycle. Total proteolytic activity in the hepatopancreas was highest during postmolt. Trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were highest during intermolt. Specific inhibitors and zymograms of A. longinaris hepatopancreas extracts showed four trypsins (14.79, 15.49, 16.60, 17.38 kDa, respectively...

26-Hydroxyecdysone is the predominant molting hormone in 24- to 44-hour-old embryonated tobacco hornworm eggs, accounting for approximately 80% of the ecdysones present at this stage of development. This molting hormone was previously shown to be the major ecdysone present in 48- to 64-hour-old embryonated eggs of this insect. During both of these periods of embryonic development in the hornwor...

Hormonal control of oocyte maturation in crustaceans is reviewed. The bihormonal control of egg maturation is accomplished by the inhibitory neuropeptides originating in the X-organ/sinus gland neurosecretory system and a host of stimulatory hormonal factors secreted from various sources. Among the gonad stimulatory hormones, steroids play a pivotal role in the control of molting and reproducti...