Neuroendocrine organs of the lemon-butterfly, Papilio demoleus L. I. The corpora cardiaca-allata complex of the larva.

The histomorphology of the retrocerebral endocrine organs of the larva of the lemon-butterfly, P. demoleus has been described employing a conventional neurosecretory staining technique. The larval organs lie a little away from the brain and oesophagus and, therefore, are not sub-aortic in position unlike most other insects and the adult of this species itself. There are two long NCCs which innervate other target organs in addition to the CC. The recurrent nerve of the stomatogastric nervous system retains its normal connections with the CC even in absence of the hypocerebral ganglion. Histological evidence suggests that the NSM inside the CC remains intraaxonal without being possibly unloaded in the substance of these organs. Axonal transport of NSM to target organs is also in evidence and though NSM is seen in the NCA, it could not be detected inside the CA.