Effects of caffeine and aminophylline on adult development of the cecropia silkmoth

Caffeine and aminophylline were potent inhibitors of adult development in the moth, Hyalophora cecropia, when administered prior to initiation of pharate adult development. A dose of 1 mg/g live weight was 100 per cent effective in bringing about this arrest. Cyasterone and α-ecdysone induced development in arrested animals and arrested dauer pupae. Brain transplant and perfusion experments indicated that synthesis or release of brain hormone was disrupted by these drugs. In addition, the effects of ecdysone and perfusion on arrested animals suggested that methylxanthines may also act at other sites in the sequence of events leading to adult development.