METHYL FARNESOATE APPEARS TO BE A CRUSTACEAN REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE

Methyl farnesoate (MF) is an unepoxidated form of juvenile hormone III , which controls reproduction in insects and appears to serve the same function in Crustacea. MF is synthesized by the mandibular organs (MO s) and has been found in the hemolymph of both females and males in mo re than 25 species of crustaceans. MF is most actively synthesized by females during vitellogenesis. MF appears to be an active gonadotropin since implants of MOs into non-reproductives will increase gonad indi ces. In males, high titers of MF are associated with large reproductiv e systems and aggressive mating behavior.