Developmental changes in the Alimentary canal of Prodenia litura Fabr. (Lepidoptera)

Summary

A detailed account of the developmental changes in the alimentary canal of Prodenia litura Fabr. is given. The three primary regions of the gut are distinctly indicated in the larval stage. The mesenteron sends lateral folds on to the posterior stomodaeum and is three times as long as the latter. The proctodaeum is marked by the presence of a muscular pylorus and by the attachment of the malpighian tubules. The whole arrangement of the gut region is disrupted during the pupal period, and rearranged to suit the future imago. The number of malpighian tubules is always six, and each set of the larval malpighian tubules bears a pyriform urinary vesicle at its base. The vesicles lose their identity in the pupa and imago.