Eur. J. Entomol. 90 (3): 241-286, 1993
Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera) - an experimental model species: A review
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The red firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.), has been a convenient model for biological research for a long time. The interest in P. apterus increased especially with the discovery in the mid-1960's of the so-called ''paper factor'', i.e., a substance with juvenile hormone activity. Considerable research has been done on this model insect in research topics such as biogeography, embryology, developmental and reproductive biology, theoretical and applied endocrinology, biochemistry, cytogenetics and formal genetics, bionomics, ethology, pathology, voltinism, diapause, wing polymorphism, migration, pathogens, symbiotes and predators. Some of the newest studies are directed toward the problems of determination of metameric pattern, cold hardiness and biorhythms. Present review provides the first selective summary of data published in almost 300 papers.
Keywords: Development, reproduction, endocrinology, biochemistry, genetics, life history, behaviour, host plants, diapause, voltinism, wing polymorphism, parasites, Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae, Pyrrhocoris apterus, linden bug, red firebug
Accepted: July 2, 1993; Published: October 25, 1993 Show citation
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