Establishment and Characterization of Two New Cell Lines (CP - 1268 and CP -169) from the Codling Moth, Carpocapsa pomonella (with a Review of Culture of Cells and Tissues from Lepidoptera)

Abstract

Cell lines have been established from 8 species of Lepidoptera representing 5 different families (Table 2). The line from Antheraea eucalypti (Grace, 1962) was the first insect cell line to be established and is still in culture after 9 1/2 years. The primary explants from which the eight lines originated were larval, pupal, and adult ovaries; larval and pupal hemocytes; and embryonic tissue. Larval, pupal and adult explants seem to follow the same general pattern when cultivated. For a period of several weeks, cell migration or proliferation occurs. Following this initial growth, cell multiplication ceases or decreases drastically. After a period of 6–9 months, cell growth resumes and subculturing may be initiated.