Classification of hemocytes in the common cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). II. Possible roles of granular plasmatocytes and oenocytoids in the cellular defense reactions

Granular plasmatocytes in Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), which until now have been called granular hemocytes, were specifically stained pink by May-Gruenwald. They had a character of plasmatocytes: they spread on a glass slide, participated in encapsulation against large latex particles, and did not function as phagocytes against India ink. Oenocytoids, which were characterized by their rapid lysis and ovoid forms, contained a prophenoloxidase-activating-system: only oenocytoids, which were fixed with glutaraldehyde, formed melanin in the presence of DOPA. This reaction was inhibited by pNPGB, a serine-type protease inhibitor.