Changes in Haemolymph Lipoproteins during Locust Flight

Abstract

MUCH of the energy for long distance flight in locusts is derived by oxidation of lipids¹, and the lipid is transported from the fat body (the principal site of lipid storage) to flight muscle through the haemolymph. During flight the lipid content of the haemolymph of Locusta migratoria increases to four times the resting value² and this is accounted for by an increase in the glyceride fraction. Chino and Gilbert³ found that diglyceride is released from fat body during in vitro incubations with haemolymph, and suggested that diglyceride is important in lipid transport in the several insect species they studied. In mammals lipids are transported chiefly in the form of lipoproteins, and this is also so in a number of insect species^3–5. We have therefore examined the nature of the increase in glyceride which occurs during locust flight, and have attempted to relate this to changes in haemolymph lipoproteins.