EFFECT OF A HIGH TEMPERATURE ON VITELLOGE-NESIS IN THE JAPANESE OAK SILKWORM,ANTHERAEA YAMAMAI (LEPIDOPTERA: SATURNIIDAE)*

Abstract The effect of a high temperature, i. e. 32°C. on vitellogenesis of the Japanese oak silkworm, Antheraea yamamai (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) was markedly significant. Its extent was dependent on the development stage of the silkworm exposed to 32°C. When exposed to 32 °C since the 1st day after cocooning, titres of both vitellogenin (Vg) and soluble proteins in the fat body and hemolymph of mature larvae were evidently lower than those at 26°C. When pupae were maintained at 32°C since the 1st day after pupation. the titres of Vg in the fat body showed no significant difference from those at 26°C, but those in the hemolymph and the titres of vitellin (Vt) in the ovary mostly were obviously lower in contrast to those at 26°C. While exposed to 32°C since the 6th day after pupation, at most instance the tires of Vg both in the fat body and hemolymph were not markedly different from those at 26°C, and those of Vt in the ovary were significantly higher than those at 26°C, In addition, the changes in the titres of soluble proteins in the fat body and hemolymph as well as the ovary were monitored when pupae were maintained at 32°C since the 1st or 6th day after pupation. It is recommended that both mature larvae and pupae at cocooning stage and earlier pupal stage should not be exposed to 32°C when the silkworm is reared for egg raising.