Changes induced in the blood cells of insects by the application of certain organic insecticides.

Abstract

Action of DDT (p, p'), Dieldrin, Dimecron, Lindane, Methoxychlor, and Parathion have been studied on the blood cells of cockroaches, grasshoppers, and Attacus larvae. The action of insecticides on the blood cells of Attacus larvae cause a general shrinkage of cytoplasm, there is no vacuolation and the fusiform cells become round, and the nuclei are variously damaged such as: dislocation, hypertrophy- and cytoplasmic folds overlapping the nuclei. They are deeply stained. In grasshoppers and cockroaches the insecticides cause: the formation of microhaemocytes, megalohaemocytes, abnormal haemocytes, presence of abnormally large granules, and vacuolation; and the damage to the nuclei has been observed as: raggedness, rupture (karyorrhexis), atrophy, hypertrophy, pycnosis, vacuolation, dislocation, swelling, and extrusion.