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Moult-inducing Hormones of the Prothoracic Gland of Insects

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Abstract

THE prothoracic gland of insects produces a hormone necessary for moulting to take place1–3, and a steroid hormone called ecdysone has been isolated from whole extracts of silk moth pupae (Bombyx mori) that brings about moulting in Calliphora larvae deprived of ring glands (containing the prothoracic gland). Similar compounds with moult-inducing properties have been found in whole extracts of a few insects and in numerous plants5, but the presence of this hormone in the prothoracic gland has not been demonstrated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Overseas Pest Research, London

    P. E. ELLIS, E. D. MORGAN & A. P. WOODBRIDGE

  2. Department of Chemistry, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG

    P. E. ELLIS, E. D. MORGAN & A. P. WOODBRIDGE

Authors
  1. P. E. ELLIS
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  2. E. D. MORGAN
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  3. A. P. WOODBRIDGE
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ELLIS, P., MORGAN, E. & WOODBRIDGE, A. Moult-inducing Hormones of the Prothoracic Gland of Insects. Nature 238, 274–276 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/238274a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/238274a0

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