Morphological and histological studies on the neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla Wlk. (Fulgoridae: Hemoptera)

Neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla, has been studied by employing PAVB and AF techniques in situ and on sections. There are four groups of NS cells in the brain, a medial of 14--17 cells, lateral and an antero-ventral of 2 cells each and a latero-ventral of a single cell. The cells are of A and B types: tinctorially the A-cells are further subdivided into A1, A2 and A3 subtypes. Suboesophageal and thoracic ganglions have 2 groups of 2 and 3 cells, each of A and B types. Axons of the cells of cerebral groups converge to form a common pathway which emerge from the protocerebrum as NCC. NSM transports both inter and intracellularly. In CC stained colloids accumulate at the commissuris, the gland has two--A and B--types of intrinsic cells. CA is devoid of NSM. Though considerably small in size and have new NS cells, its NS pathways are easily demonstrated in situ. It is emphasized that size and number of neurosecretory axons is not a limitation of the in situ technique but the demonstration of the tract depends upon the physiological state of the animal at the time of fixation.