3D reconstruction of larval and adult brain neuropils of two giant silk moth species: Hyalophora cecropia and Antheraea pernyi

• Published in: Journal of insect physiology 2023-09, Vol.149, p.104546-104546, Article 104546
• Main Authors: Sehadová, Hana, Podlahová, Šárka, Reppert, Steven M., Sauman, Ivo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D modelling; Antennal lobe; Antheraea pernyi; Central complex; Cephalic ganglion neuropils; Comparative neuroanatomy; Hyalophora cecropia; Insect brain; Mushroom body; Visual neuropils
• ISSN: 0022-1910; 1879-1611
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104546

[Display omitted] •First 3D reconstruction of larval and adult brains of representatives of the Saturniidae family.•In both Saturniidae species the overall architecture of the brain is the same in larvae and adults.•Both Saturniidae species show significant sexual dimorphism in the size of the antennal lobes.•The structure of brain neuropils is virtually identical in Saturniidae and Sphingidae.•There are significant differences in the brain neuropiles architecture between moths and butterflies. We present a detailed analysis of the brain anatomy of two saturniid species, the cecropia silk moth, Hyalophora cecropia, and the Chinese oak silk moth, Antheraea pernyi, including 3D reconstructions of the major brain neuropils in the larva and in male and female adults. The 3D reconstructions, prepared from high-resolution optical sections, showed that the corresponding neuropils of these saturniid species are virtually identical. Similarities between the two species include a pronounced sexual dimorphism in the adults in the form of a male-specific assembly of markedly enlarged glomeruli forming the so-called macroglomerular complex. From the reports published to date, it can be concluded that the neuropil architecture of saturniids resembles that of other nocturnal moths, including the sibling family Sphingidae. In addition, compared with previous anatomical data on diurnal lepidopteran species, significant differences were observed in the two saturniid species, which include the thickness of the Y-tract of the mushroom body, the size of the main neuropils of the optic lobes, and the sexual dimorphisms of the antennal lobes.