Epicuticle Epicuticle

• Very thin, but important complex layer superficial layer

• Comprised of at least 4 layers itself

1. Outer cement layer, <0.1 µm thick
– Secreted by dermal glands; similar to shellac
– Hydrophobic vs. hydrophilic
2. Superficial layer (formerly wax layer)
– Includes lipids & hydrocarbons
– Function in species/caste recognition & sex attractants
3. Outer epicuticle (cuticulin layer)
4. Inner epicuticle

Physical Properties of Cuticle Insect Exoskeleton

• Consider various activities of insects • Provides many of the same things for
• Must be rigid insects as our own skeletons
– elastic • Primarily, attachment of muscles, tendons
– flexible and other locomotory structures
– impermeable • Muscles can attach directly to cuticle
– permeable, etc… • Others attach to strong invaginations of
body wall
All in the same insect! Apodemes vs. Apophyses

Ironclad Beetle
Apdemes & Apophyses Zopheridae: Zopherus nodulosus

1
 Molting
• Periodic shedding of cuticle followed by
formation of a new cuticle.
• Facilitates growth despite more/less
inflexible integument.
• Process is under hormonal control.
• Conveniently divided into apolysis and
ecdysis
Mature Cuticle & Apolysis
New outer epicuticle produced
Apolysis
• Initial separation of old cuticle and epidermis.
• Occurs in response to molting hormone, ecdysone
• Epidermal cells become active, increasing in size
and number
• Epidermal cells separate from old cuticle & begin
secreting a new epicuticle & procuticle.
New Epicuticle Produced
• Epidermal cells secrete molting (exuvial) fluid
containing inactive enzymes (chitinase &
proteases) to digest endocuticle.
• Fluid changes to a gel.
• Simultaneously, a new cuticle containing
epicuticle and undifferentiated procuticle is
produced.
• Molting gel is separated from epidermal cells.
Digestion of Endocuticle
• Enzymes in molting gel become activated
(pH?)
• Start digesting old endocuticle
• Products of digestion (80-90%) of old
cuticle are absorbed by epidermal cells.
2
 Endocuticle Digested Epicuticle
• Superficial layer laid down just before ecdysis
– Results in waterproofing
• Cement layer is last secreted
forming just after ecdysis
– Secreted by dermal glands
whose canals perforate wax
layers.

Molting fluid resorbed & cuticle

Ecdysis
splits along ecdysial cleavage line
• Process of shedding exuviae.
• Leaving behind remnants of old cuticle
– Includes fore
- & hindgut, & tracheal cuticular
linings
• Facilitated by ecdysial cleavage lines
(sutures)

New Cuticle
• With endocuticle digested, a line of weakness
develops.
• The insect may gulp air or water and increase
hydrostatic pressure of blood by contracting
muscles.
• This force causes the old cuticle to split along
these lines.
• Following ecdysis, the insect may eat the
exuviae retaining nearly all nutrients.
• Sclerotization & melonazation occur.

3
 Cicadidae:
Tibicen superbus

Gryllacrididae:
Ceuthophilus
Albinism?

Cuticular Processes

seta
spine vs. spur
(macrotrichia)

acanthae
microtrichia