Sb. Ramaswamy et al., DYNAMICS OF JUVENILE HORMONE-MEDIATED GONADOTROPISM IN THE LEPIDOPTERA, Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology, 35(4), 1997, pp. 539-558
Reproduction in moths and butterflies is a dynamic process that is inf
luenced by various endogenous physiological processes and exogenous fa
ctors. The Lepidoptera may be divided into four distinct groups based
on their gonadotropic hormones and other reproductive and biological c
haracteristics, regardless of phylogenetic relationships. Some species
have integrated their reproduction tightly with the endocrine events
of metamorphosis, the waxing or waning ecdysteroid levels. Other speci
es rely instead on juvenile hormone (1H), in part or solely. Species o
f Lepidoptera that rely on IH as the gonadotropic signal also exhibit
polyandry. Several mechanisms have been suggested for the occurrence o
i polyandry, including availability of male-transferred nutrients (gon
adotrophic effect), need for additional sperm, and increased genetic v
ariability. We propose an additional reason for polyandry observed in
some lepidopterans. If a female remains a virgin, her endogenous gonad
otropic signal diminishes, and eggs that have been produced already ma
y be resorbed to increase longevity. During copulation, the male may t
rigger a neural/humoral response in the female, thus stimulating relea
se of her endogenous gonadotropic signal, JH, and/or inhibiting degrad
ation of the same, whence she matures new eggs. The mating effect appe
ars to act humorally on the cephalic structures in several species. Wh
ether this change in JH titer is due to an effect on synthesis and rel
ease by corpora allata only or occurs in conjunction with inhibition o
f JH degradation is unknown. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.