The Detoxication Function of Insect Hemocytes

Abstract

The initial observation that insects are more susceptible to chemical intoxication when the blood specific gravity is high led the author to the observation that this condition usually presages a molt and at this time the blood count is low. Experiments in which the blood count was reduced chemically or physically brought about an increase in the susceptibility of the grey house cricket to parathion. Further investigation indicates that this susceptibility may be related to the amount and activity of nonspecific esterases which appear to be carried by the hemocytes.