Hemolymph ecdysteroids do not affect vitellogenesis in the lubber grasshopper

The role of hemolymph ecdysteroids in the reproduction of non-dipteran insects is unclear. We examine the role(s) of hemolymph ecdysteroids during egg production in the lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera. In all individuals, hemolymph ecdysteroids rose to a sharp peak with similar maxima and then fell to undetectable levels. The time from the adult molt to the maximum ecdysteroid titer (E(max) titer) varied in response to food availability, whereas the time from E(max) titer to oviposition was unrelated to food availability. Because both the timing of egg production and the timing of E(max) responded similarly to environmental changes, ecdysteroids may be involved in egg production. We hypothesized that this role is the stimulation of vitellogenesis. Ovariectomized females had vitellogenin but no ecdysteroids, so ecdysteroids are not necessary for vitellogenin production. In addition, treatment of females with ecdysteroids altered neither Vg titers nor ovarian growth. Ovarian ecdysteriods increased at the same age in development as hemolymph ecdysteroids. In contrast to hemolymph ecdysteroids, ovarian ecdysteroids persisted until oviposition. Despite this, [(3)H]ecdysone injected into the hemolymph was detected later only at very low levels in the ovary, suggesting that hemolymph ecdysteroids are not sequestered by the ovary. In summary, our studies indicate that hemolymph ecdysteroids in adult females of the lubber grasshopper are associated with the timing of egg production, but they neither regulate vitellogenesis nor act as a source of ecdysteroids for the ovary.