THE FUNCTION OF THE CORPUS ALLATUM IN MUSCOID DIPTERA

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Abstract
When the ring gland (which includes both corpus allatum and corpora cardiaca) of Lucilia sericata or of Sarcophaga securifera is extirpated, striking changes occur in the cytology of the oenocytes, the fat bodies, and the ovaries. These effects can be modified by implanting ring glands into the abdomen of operated flies. It would not be expected that implantation of a ring gland would reproduce the normal condition, since the gland does not function normally when denervated. Castration of [female] L. sericata results in striking hypertrophy of the cells and nuclei of the corpus allatum. This hypertrophy does not occur after castration of [male][male], or in either sex of another muscoid fly, S. securifera. It is suggested that these observations may be connected with differences in the oenocytes between these 2 spp. The information available suggests that the ring gland may not produce a sex hormone, but exerts its action by its effect on some general metabolic function, perhaps through the oenocytes.

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