Vigyan Varta An International E-Magazine for Science Enthusiasts E-ISSN: 2582-9467

Popular Article
www.vigyanvarta.com Vol-3, Issue-11 Gadge et. al. (2022)

Diapause-Regulation in Insect Development

Ankush S Gadge1*, Vanitha S Khandibagur2, Durgesh K Narwade3,
Dhananjay V Shirsat1 and Jamunarani G S2
1
Division of Agricultural Entomology, ICAR- Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research,
Rajgurunagar, Pune 410505, Maharashtra, India
2
Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Bagalkote 587104, Karnataka, India
3
Department of Entomology, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Rahuri - 413722, Maharashtra, India

Corresponding Author
Ankush S Gadge
Email: ankushgadge66@gmail.com
OPEN ACCESS
Keywords

Diapause, Hormone, Insect, Management

How to cite this article

Gadge, A. S., Khandibagur, V. S., Narwade, D. K. and Shirsat, D. V. and Jamunarani, G. S. 2022.
Diapause- Regulation in Insect Development. Vigyan Varta 3(11): 166-170.

ABSTRACT
A diapause is a physiological event, genetically programmed, to be coordinated with the
environment. It is regulated by different hormones, viz., PTTH, DH, JH, and Ecdysone in
different insects. Manipulation in diapause can be used as a tool for pest management, by
induction of diapause in harmful insects, whereas, in beneficial insects by the termination of
diapause. We can manipulate diapause-regulating hormones by using chemicals like HCl,
DMSO, HgCl2 and thereby we can use it as an effective IPM strategy.

INTRODUCTION

A
ll organisms on the earth have evolved
at a time of constant action. Diapause is
with biological rhythms to face
a physiological state of dormancy, with very
alternation of periods of favourable
specific initiating and inhibiting conditions. It is
and unfavourable environmental conditions at
a major event bolstering the class ‘Insecta’
various temporal scales. Diapause is a state of
success. The term ‘diapause’ was introduced
seasonal dormancy adapted to recurring periods
first time by Wheeler (1893). It is an important
of such adverse environmental conditions and
phenomenon in the insect life cycle to survive
triggered by biotic and abiotic factors that
under unfavorable conditions, to increase the
precede the arrival of these conditions. Word
mating chance and to synchronize the life cycle
“diapause” originated from Greek diapausis
with the host season.
(pause), meaning to stop or to decrease activity

November, 2022 166 |P a g e

 Vigyan Varta An International E-Magazine for Science Enthusiasts
www.vigyanvarta.com
OCCURRENCE OF DIAPAUSE:
Diapause occurrence varies from species to
species. Diapause can occur in any stage of
development (eggs/ larvae/ pupae/ adult). In
diapausing insects, only one stage can exhibit
diapause. The stage of diapause occurrence is
highly characteristic & confined for each insect
species. The sensitive stage is the development
period in insect life which detects unfavorable
environmental changes and induces diapause
development. The diapause Stage is temporary
arrested growth and activity period with a
diminished metabolic rate in insect life.
INTENSITY OF DIAPAUSE:
Duration of diapause is the measure of the
intensity of diapause. Diapause lasts for 9-10
months in the temperate zones, and may persist
for a year or more in less common cases.
Diapause lasting more than a year is known as
prolonged or extended diapause, and has been
documented in 64 insect species. Yucca moth
(Prodoxus yinversus) adults emerge after 19
years of diapause as prepupae. Larvae of wheat
blossom midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana)
overwintered for 12 years in the soil before
adult emergence.
TYPES OF DIAPAUSE:
A) Classification based on seasonal
variations:
1. Aestivation/ summer diapause - Insects
undergoing diapause in the summer
season.
2. Hibernation/ winter diapause - Insects
undergoing diapause in the winter
season. The most common type of
diapause. Also known as overwintering.
3. Autumnal/ fall season - Insects
undergoing diapause in the autumn
season. .
4. Vernal/ spring season – Insects
undergoing diapause in the spring season.
November, 2022
E-ISSN: 2582-9467
Popular Article
Vol-3, Issue-11 Gadge et. al. (2022)
B) Classification based on life stages:
1. Egg/ embryonic diapause - Insects
undergoing diapause in the embryo or
egg stage. Eg., Silkworm, Bombyx mori,
Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, etc.
2. Larval/ Nymphal diapause - Insects
undergoing diapause in the larval or
nymphal stage. Eg., Pink bollworm,
Pectinophora gossypiella, European corn
borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, Blow fly,
Calliphora vicina, etc.
3. Pupal diapause - Insects undergoing
diapause in the pupal stage. Eg., Oak
moth, Antheraea peryni, Flesh fly,
Sarcophaga sp., Cabbage butterfly,
Pieris raphae, etc.
4. Adult/ reproductive diapause - Insects
undergoing diapause in the adult-
reproductive stage. Eg., Colorado potato
beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Fire
bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, Cotton boll
weevil, Anthonomus grandis, etc.
C) Classification based on the influence of
environmental factors:
1. Obligatory diapause – In this type, every
individual in every generation enters
diapause. Observed in univoltine species.
Genetically controlled. Eg., Giant silk
moth (pupal), Tent caterpillar (egg), Root
grubs(adult), etc.
2. Facultative diapause – In this type Some
generations may be completely free of
diapause while in other generations some
or all of the insects enter diapause.
Observed in multivoltine species.
Controlled by environmental cues. Eg.,
Gypsy moth, etc.
D) Classification based on physiological
and ecological mechanisms of diapause
incidence and termination:
1. Parapause - Independent on token stimuli for
diapause induction and termination.
167 |P a g e
 Vigyan Varta An International E-Magazine for Science Enthusiasts
www.vigyanvarta.com
2. Oligopause - Depend on the same token
stimuli for induction and termination of
diapause.
3. Eudiapause - Depend on different token
stimuli for induction and termination of
diapause.
ECO-PHYSIOLOGICAL PHASES
DIAPAUSE:
Insect intended to successfully undergo
diapause, passes through various Eco
physiological phases in a sequence as described
below.
A) Pre-diapause phase:
1. Induction phase- Occurs during
genotype-specific ontogenetic stage(s)
(sensitive period). Token stimuli
perceived by an insect reach some critical
level. Switching the ontogenetic pathway
from direct development to diapause.
Leads to alterations in gene transcription.
2. Preparation phase- Behavioural and
physiological preparations for diapause.
Activities performed are migration,
location of suitable micro-habitats,
aggregation, or food storage. Heavy
feeding by late instars.
B) Diapause Phase:
1. Initiation phase- Direct development
(morphogenesis) ceases. Metabolic
suppression takes place. The intensity of
diapause may increase. The hormonal
activity commenced, viz., Diapause
November, 2022
E-ISSN: 2582-9467
Popular Article
Vol-3, Issue-11 Gadge et. al. (2022)
hormone (DH), Juvenile hormone (JH),
Ecdysone, and Prothoracicotrophic
hormone (PTTH).
2. Maintenance phase- Endogenous
developmental arrest persists despite
favourable conditions for direct
OF development. Metabolic rate is relatively
low and constant. Most “true” phase of
diapause. Specific token stimuli may help
for the maintenance of this stage.
3. Termination phase- Resumption of
direct development enabled. Stimulation
by specific changes in environmental
conditions. Hormonal changes occur for
direct development
C) Post-diapause phase: Not compulsory
phase. Follows the ‘termination phase’.
Post diapause quiescence is seen.
Exogenously imposed inhibition of
development and metabolism. Occurred
when conditions are not favourable for
resumption of direct development.
FACTORS AFFECTING DIAPAUSE:
1. Photoperiod- Photoperiod is most
reliable and consistent indicator of
seasons so stands important token stimuli
in diapause regulation. Sensory organs
like Compound eyes, ocelli, antenna, or
transparent area on cuticle helps in
perceiving the environmental token
stimuli. The incidence of diapause
peaked at 15 and 18°c, with the day
lengths of 12 and 11 h in pupae of
Scrobipalpa ocellatella.
2. Temperature- Temperature will
reinforce the photoperiod. In Bombyx
mori high temperature will induce
diapause whereas, low temperature
prevents diapause.
3. Moisture- Both wet and dry conditions
play an important role in diapause
168 |P a g e
 Vigyan Varta An International E-Magazine for Science Enthusiasts
www.vigyanvarta.com
process. Diapause development evidently
initiates at dry conditions; however, wet
conditions (rain, water or moisture) are
must for restoration of development and
pupation
4. Food- The quantity & quality of food can
induce diapause. Shortage of prey
induces reproductive diapause in the
green lacewing, Chrysoperla sp. Absence
of gibberellin or eugenol in diet induces
reproductive diapause in desert locust.
HORMONAL ROLE IN DIAPAUSE:
Expression of the diapause program is triggered
by a particular set of environmental signals
such as photoperiod, temperature and humidity.
The received signals are transduced into
endogenous chemical messengers, hormones,
in the neuroendocrine organs. Finally,
hormones bring about the phase change from
development into diapause or vice versa
through structural and functional changes in the
target organs. The key hormones regulating
diapause are Juvenile hormone (JH), Diapause
hormone (DH), Prothoracicotropic hormone
(PTTH) and Ecdysone. As diapause is under
strong endocrine control it is possible to inhibit
or induce diapause by exposing insects to
various synthetic hormones that mimic natural
ones.
Hormonal basis of Egg Diapause: DH induces
egg diapause in Bombyx mori. Diapaused eggs
contain low concentrations of ecdysteroid and
vice versa. Titre of 20- hydroxyecdysone is low
in eggs destined to undergo diapause in Locusta
migratoria, whereas the titre is high in non-
diapause eggs.
Hormonal basis of Larval & Pupal diapause:
Release or blockade of PTTH, act as switch to
terminate or initiate larval and pupal diapauses.
The titer of PTTH in diapause pupae drops to
an undetectable level. In Cabbage armyworm,
initiation of pupal diapause is due to cessation
November, 2022
E-ISSN: 2582-9467
Popular Article
Vol-3, Issue-11 Gadge et. al. (2022)
of ecdysteroid secretion. The resumption of
ecdysone induces post-diapause development.
Diapause larva contains high titer of JH. Non
diapause larva has rapid decline in titer of JH.
DH terminates pupal diapause in Helicoverpa
sp.
`Hormonal basis of Adult/Reproductive
Diapause: The sizes of corpora allata and the
amount of JH secretion is very small or absent
in diapause adult. Eg., Adult/Reproductive
Diapause in Colorado potato beetle is due to
gradual inactivation of corpora allata in adult
which causes low level of JH titer in diapausing
adult. The cessation of JH production, that halts
ovarian development and hence initiates
diapause in females of the mosquito, Culex
pipiens.
DIAPAUSE-BREAKING MECHANISMS /
WAYS TO TERMINATE DIAPAUSE:
A) Oxygen level- Even though it doesn’t
affect alone, in combination with
temperature it affects the termination of
diapause. Low oxygen level decreases
the intensity of diapause and thereby
shortens the diapausing period.
B) Hormones: Diapause hormone mimics
or antagonists, Juvenile hormone mimics
and Ecdysteroid mimic can be employed
in breaking insect diapause.
B) Chemicals: chemicals like HCl, HgCl2
solution, DMSO and analogs can break
the insect diapause.
CONCLUSION:
Diapause mechanism is significant to
understand the seasonal biology of an insect
species, to manipulate domesticated species
used in pollination and silk production, and also
for increasing the shelf-life of parasitoids and
predators in biological control. It can be
concluded that as a diapause is a physiological
169 |P a g e
 Vigyan Varta An International E-Magazine for Science Enthusiasts
www.vigyanvarta.com
event which is genetically programmed to be
coordinated with the environment, and
regulated by hormones. Therefore,
manipulation in diapause activity can be used as
tool in pest management to induce diapause in
harmful insects and also termination tool in
beneficial insects.
REFERENCES:
Ahmadi, F., Moharramipour, S. and Mikani, A.,
2018, The effect of temperature and
photoperiod on diapause induction in
November, 2022
E-ISSN: 2582-9467
Popular Article
Vol-3, Issue-11 Gadge et. al. (2022)
pupae of Scrobipalpa ocellatella
(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Env.
Entomol., 20 (10):1–9.
Denlinger, D. L., Yocum, G. D. and Rinehart,
J. P., 2012, Hormonal control of
diapause. Insect Endocrinology (ed. by
LI Gilbert), pp. 430–463. Elsevier,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Gill, H. K., Goyal, G. and Chahil, G., 2017,
Insect Diapause: A Review. J. Agric. Sci.
Tech., 7: 454-473.
Kostal, V., 2006, Eco-physiological phases of
insect diapause. J. Insect Physiol.,
52:113–127
170 |P a g e