Ontogenesis of hemocytes in the stick insect Bacillus rossius (Rossi) (Phasmatodea, Bacillidae) studied with an anti-hemocyte monoclonal antibody

Abstract

The monoclonal antibody BrH1, specific for hemocytes of the stick insect Bacillus rossius, was employed to study the appearance of hemocytes during embryogenesis. Laid eggs were collected for eight weeks, and cryosections were probed with the antibody. First positive cells were detected at the fifth week, and increased in number onwards. No peculiar differences were observed in the overall morphology between embryonic and non-embryonic hemocytes.