Studies on Vitamin E in the House Cricket, Acheta Domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae): I. Nutritional Albinism

Addition of DL-α-tocopherol (vitamin E) at a level of 17.2 μg/g to an artificial diet containing casein, glucose, cellulose powder, salts, cholesterol, and a mixture of B-vitamins results in a loss of pigmentation in 30–50% of males on adult emergence. These albino males are of a light amber colour, apparently lacking melanin, although their cuticle appears to be sclerotized, and their sexual behaviour is normal.