Integument

Abstract

The integument of insects has been extensively reviewed during the past two decades [e.g. Neville (1975) and Andersen (1979); for earlier work see Richards (1951)]. Morphological aspects of integument have been reviewed both at the histochemical level (Wigglesworth, 1972) and ultrastructural level (Smith, 1968; Neville, 1970). Biochemistry of insect cuticle is the subject of a recent article by Andersen (1979). Although numerous references are made to Periplaneta americana in these reports, not all aspects of cuticular chemistry and deposition of cuticle have been studied using this species as the experimental animal. In the following account, the results from studies of other insect species are noted and, in some cases, the information is extrapolated to P. americana.