Haemocytes in the repair of wounds in an insect (Rhodnius prolixus)

Four types of haemocytes may be distinguished in Rhodnius adults, based on their fine structure. The plasmatocytes are most active in the repair of an integumental wound. They contain dens homogeneous granules whose contents become less dense in response to wounding until microtubules about 150å in diameter are distinguishable. The significance of these changes is not yet known. Tight and intermediate junctions, and septate desmosomes appear between haemocytes which have accumulated in an excision.