Paraffin Synthesis in the Oenocytes of the Desert Locust

Oenocytes are one of the least understood types of insect cells. Several workers have suggested that the oenocytes produce structural lipoproteins for the formation of the cuticle or the paraffins and waxes which are involved in water-proofing the cuticle¹⁻⁴. Electron microscope studies⁵⁻⁹, ligation experiments^10,11 and biochemical studies¹¹⁻¹³ suggest that the oenocytes rather than the prothoracic glands synthesize the moulting hormone ecdysone. At present, however, there is no direct and conclusive evidence to support either of these hypotheses.