Investigation of the histological development of the frontal ganglion in Locusta migratoria L. 1758 (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

Abstract

The frontal ganglion plays a critical role in insect feeding and molting-related behaviors. It is present in all insect orders at all developmental stages. In this study, the histological development of the frontal ganglion of Locusta migratoria, the African migratory locust, was investigated. Ganglia were dissected at 3 distinct developmental stages and their histological structure was evaluated at the light microscope level. The development of the cells generating the ganglion in the first and fifth nymphal stages and in adults was determined using the variance analysis method. Total width and length of the ganglion cells as well as width and length of the nucleus were measured. A significant expansion of the cell and nucleus diameter was observed during development from the youngest stage toward adulthood.