Epicuticular Wax1 Secretion in Diapause and Non-diapause Pupae of the Bertha Army worm3

The epicuticular wax of diapausing and non-diapausing pupae of Mamestra configurata Walker was studied by chloroform extraction and thin layer chromatography. Diapausing pupae have twice as much wax as non-diapausing pupae (8-10 days old). The period of wax secretion in diapausing pupae was twice as long (8 days) as that of non-diapausing pupae (4 days). In addition, the diapausing pupae had 3 times as much hydrocarbons as non-diapausing pupae. Wax secretion was retarded in pupae stored at 5° and 0°C. Apparently, the thicker wax layer in general and the higher content of hydrocarbons in particular protect the diapausing pupae from desiccation during diapause.