Juvenile-Hormone Esterase in Insect Development: A Comparative Study

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Abstract
Juvenile-hormone (JH) esterase activity is found in the hemolymph of last larval (nymphal) instars of Periplaneta brunnea, Schistocerca vaga, Samia cynthia, and Tenebrio molitor, but not in Sarcophaga bullata. In Samia cynthia larvae maximum activity coincides with the JH inactivation preceding metamorphosis; in young Hyalophora cecropia moths the increase in JHE activity coincides with a sharp rise in the rate of JH synthesis. Pupal hemolymph of T. molitor has the highest activity of any species or stage tested. The enzymes of Samia cynthia and T. molitor hydrolyze JH-1 and ethyl ester analogs, whereas the Δ²-cis isomer of JH-I and isopropyl ester analogs (only tested with T. molitor hemolymph) are unaffected.