Significance of haemolymph juvenile hormone titer changes in timing of migration and reproduction in adult Oncopeltus fasciatus

Previous studies had shown that both migratory flight and ovarian maturation in Oncopeltus fasciatus were stimulated by juvenile hormone (JH), yet the two behaviors were mutually exclusive. To understand the relationship of this hormone to these behaviors, haemolymph juvenile hormone titers were determined in both sexes of Oncopeltus throughout the adult stage by the Manduca pigmentation bioassay. Animals reared under long day conditions (17L:7D, 24°C) showed an immediate rise in haemolymph titers of JH after adult emergence whereas those reared in a short day photoperiod (12L:12D, 24°C) had a more gradual increase in hormone titers. Migratory flight behavior occurred during periods of intermediate hormone titers while oviposition did not begin until JH titers had reached their peak. It was concluded that lower JH titers normally stimulate flight in the prereproductive adult whereas higher titers are required for complete ovarian development. The corpus allatum in Oncopeltus thus coordinates migration and reproduction in response to the environmental cues of photoperiod, temperature, and food quality.