Neuroarchitecture of the tritocerebrum of Drosophila melanogaster

The organisation of the tritocerebrum of Drosophila melanogaster was studied by Bodian‐Protargol reduced silver staining, Golgi‐silver impregnation, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and cobalt‐chloride labelling of neurones and transmission electron microscopy. Nerve fibres of six categories were found to project to the tritocerebrum. (1 and 2) The sensory fibres from the internal mouthpart sensilla known to course along pharyngeal and accessory pharyngeal nerves were found to project in mainly two tiers, in the tritocerebrum. (3) Stomodaeal nerve fibres also project along the pharyngeal nerve, to the tritocerebrum. (4) Cells of the pars intercerebralis (PI) project along the median bundle and arborise in the tritocerebrum. HRP labelling and subsequent examination by transmission electron microscopy indicated their neurosecretory nature. (5 and 6) Two tracts of ascending fibres, designated as dorsal and ventral ascending tracts, were found to project to the tritocerebrum. Some of the sensory fibres from the labial nerve extend close to the sensory projections of the tritocerebrum, suggesting a possible convergence of the two sensory inputs. In the tritocerebrum, the sensory input, the stomodaeal input, the neurosecretory fibres of PI, and the ascending fibres were found to have overlapping fields, suggesting mutual interaction. The medial subesophageal ganglion and the tritocerebrum may interact through the ventral ascending tract. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.