Ability of Various Alcohols to interfere in the Calliphora Bioassay of Ecdysone

Abstract

Fraenkel and Rudall¹ found that, when mature Sarcophaga larvæ were immersed in methanol, cuticular darkening occurred within a few days ; ethanol was ineffective, but propyl, butyl and amyl alcohols were somewhat active. Dennell² found a more rapid darkening in methanol and a slight effect with ethanol, and suggested that methanol broke down some inhibitor which normally prevented darkening until the onset of pupation. This communication deals with the effects of injecting alcohols into Calliphora erythrocephala (Meigen) larvæ.