Effect of thermal neutron flux radiation on cephalic neuroendocrine system of the fruit sucking moth, Achaea janata Linn. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The corpora allata (CA) in adult moth of Achaea janata comprises a cluster of individual cells, which include about 14 lobes of CA connected by fine divided attenuated cardica allatal nerve (NCA). The medial A1 neurosecretory cells and epithelial cells of the CA in the adult female moth undergo cyclic changes soon after emergence. The secretory activity of medial A1 cells and corpora allata in the female developed from the irradiated pupa was greatly reduced and does not coincided with that of the control ones. The medial A1 cells of the irradiated pupa revealed formation of large vacuoles and severe damage of the subcellular organelles and marked degranulation of the neurosecretory granules which may be the root-cause of retarded neuroendocrine activity in the adult moth emerged from the irradiated pupa.