Coordinated activity of the ovary, pars intercerebralis and corpus allatum during the prenesting and nesting cycles of Copris incertus Say (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Females of Copris incertus, a coprophagous beetle which inhabits pastures in Veracruz, Mexico, were studied. Analysis of morphological variations apparent in the ovary, in the corpus allatum and in the type A neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis, revealed that each major behavioral phase brings with it physiological activity characteristic of the organs studied. The ovary is immature at the time of beetle emergence; the corpus allatum and the pars intercerebralis are inactive. Then, during the prenesting period, the ovary matures and the endocrine and neuroendocrine centers commence activity. In the reproductive period, ovarian activity as well as that of the endocrine and neuroendocrine centers is cyclical: these areas are active during nest building construction and are inactive during nest care. During each nest care phase, reabsorption of the basal oocyte is linked to inactivity in the corpus allatum and the A cells of the pars intercerebralis; this physiological changes are similar to that observed in other species of insects which perform nest care.