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‘Paper Factor’ as an Inhibitor of the Embryonic Development of the European Bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus

Nature volume 210, pages 329–330 (1966)Cite this article

Abstract

WE have already described a fortuitous combination of events which led to the discovery that American newspapers and other paper products contain a potent analogue of the juvenile hormone of the European bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus L. (Heteroptera ; Pyrrhocoridae)1. When reared in contact with ‘active paper’ or when exposed to surfaces impregnated with extracts of the ‘paper factor’ (PF), fifth-stage Pyrrhocoris larvae undergo one or more supernumerary larval moults and finally die without completing metamorphosis or attaining sexual maturity. This same result is observed when 1 µg of partially purified PF is topically applied to young fifth instar larvae1,2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    KAREL SLÁMA & CARROLL M. WILLIAMS

  2. Department of Insect Physiology, Entomological Institute of Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague

    KAREL SLÁMA

Authors
  1. KAREL SLÁMA
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  2. CARROLL M. WILLIAMS
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SLÁMA, K., WILLIAMS, C. ‘Paper Factor’ as an Inhibitor of the Embryonic Development of the European Bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus. Nature 210, 329–330 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/210329a0

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