Insulin-like peptides are not involved in maturation or functional recovery of neural circuits in the locust flight system

We sought to manipulate maturation and functional recovery of locust flight circuitry by treating locusts with pharmacological doses of bovine anti-in sulin and insulin. Anti-insulin treatment of maturing locusts caused reduce d growth of the thoracic nervous system, lower body weight, and softer cuti cles compared with control locusts. We were unable to block either maturati on or recovery of flight circuitry with anti-insulin. We propose that insul in-related peptides are involved in growth and cuticular changes during adu lt maturation, but have no role in promoting neuronal sprouting during this period or as a result of injury.