Metamorphic changes in the neurosecretory cells of Diacrisia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

4 PF-positive NSC appear for the first time in each brain hemisphere on 4th day of exclosion. B-, C- and D-cells appear in the pars intercerebralis region on the second day in the 2nd instar. 3 lateral NSC appear for the first time in this instar. 2 A4-cells appear in the tritocerebral region of the 4th instar. An increase in the number and size of the NSC is noted in the successive instars. A3-cells appear for the first time in 5th instar. The secretory phases in the pupal period are completed in three "stages" which last for 3.3 and 4 days respectively. Adults lack PF-positive cells in the lateral and tritocerebral regions. Females show accumulation of NSM before mating which depletes gradually as the mating time reaches.