Flight fuel and neuropeptidergic control of fuel mobilisation in the twig wilter, Holopterna alata (Hemiptera, Coreidae)

The corpus cardiacum of the twig wilter Holopterna alata contains a factor that elicits increases in the concentration of lipids in the haemolymph of twig wilters and migratory locusts and causes hypertrehalosaemia in American cockroaches. A hyperlipaemic neuropeptide was isolated from corpora cardiaca of H. alata in a single high-performance liquid chromatography step. The primary sequence of this peptide was assigned by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, biological assay and co-elution with the synthetic peptide. The adipokinetic peptide of H. alata is an octapeptide with the sequence pGlu-Leu-Asn-Phe-Ser-Thr-Gly-Trp amide denoted Schgr-AKH-II which was sequenced previously from the corpora cardiaca of a number of Caelifera, Ensifera and some Hymenoptera. A dose of 1pmol of synthetic Schgr-AKH-II causes a pronounced hyperlipaemic effect in the twig wilter. Physiological experiments with the twig wilter reveal that during flight periods of 3 min, the normally low carbohydrate concentration in the haemolymph is significantly diminished, whereas the lipid concentration stays constant in most cases. During a subsequent rest period of 60 min after a 3 min flight episode, however, the concentration of lipids in the haemolymph increases substantially and significantly, indicating that lipids, too, are a major fuel during flight of twig wilters. This is corroborated by the activation of the enzyme triacylglycerol (TAG) lipase in the fat body, but not in the flight muscles, by injection of 5 pmol of synthetic Schgr-AKH-II, the endogenous adipokinetic hormone that is thought to be released during flight. Moreover, in the thorax there is a significant decrease in the concentration of glycogen and lipids measured after flight plus 60 min of rest compared to non-flown twig wilters, whereas no significant changes were monitored for these substrates stored in the abdomen. When the change in lipid class composition was analysed during flight plus 60 min of rest, TAG which comprised the major class in all compartments analysed (thorax, abdomen, haemolymph) was significantly reduced in abdomen and thorax, and diacylglycerol was significantly increased in all three compartments. From all the data collected, it is concluded that lipids are the major fuel class for flight in H. alata and that the contribution of carbohydrates is minimal.