Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The germ-free culture of desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria
AU - Charnley, A. K.
AU - Hunt, J.
AU - Dillon, R. J.
PY - 1985
Y1 - 1985
N2 - A technique is described for rearing germ-free desert locusts. Axenic insects appeared to develop and reproduce normally, therefore it is concluded that the gut bacterial flora does not contribute significantly to locust nutrition. However, it is suggested that the gut flora may benefit its host by contributing to the locust's defences against attack by pathogenic microorganisms. The results of morphometric measurements are discussed in terms of the bacterial origin of the so called phase pheromone, locustol. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that microbial activity restricts gut carbohydrase.
AB - A technique is described for rearing germ-free desert locusts. Axenic insects appeared to develop and reproduce normally, therefore it is concluded that the gut bacterial flora does not contribute significantly to locust nutrition. However, it is suggested that the gut flora may benefit its host by contributing to the locust's defences against attack by pathogenic microorganisms. The results of morphometric measurements are discussed in terms of the bacterial origin of the so called phase pheromone, locustol. No evidence was found to support the hypothesis that microbial activity restricts gut carbohydrase.
KW - Locust
KW - Schistocerca
KW - bacteria
KW - axenic
U2 - 10.1016/0022-1910(85)90096-4
DO - 10.1016/0022-1910(85)90096-4
M3 - Journal article
VL - 31
SP - 477
EP - 485
JO - Journal of Insect Physiology
JF - Journal of Insect Physiology
SN - 0022-1910
IS - 6
ER -