Abstract:
Objective Melatonin contents in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stl), at various developmental stages were determined.
Method HPLC-MS/MS was used to measure the melatonin contents in the 1st to the 5th instar nymphs as well as female and male macropterous and brachypterous adults of the insect.
Result At nymph stage, N. lugens had the lowest average melatonin content of 378.5 pg·g−1 in the 1st and the 2nd instars, the highest of 856.6 pg·g−1 in the 3rd instar, 810.7 pg·g−1 in the 4th instar, and 574.5 pg·g−1 in the 5th instar. Adult N. lugens differed significantly on melatonin contents between male and female but not between the macropterous and brachypterous wing types. The male of macropterous and brachypterous wing types contained 978.3 pg·g−1 and 969.6 pg·g−1 melatonin, respectively, which were extremely significantly higher than the female counterparts at 76.1 pg·g−1 and 176.8 pg·g−1, respectively.
Conclusion The melatonin contents in N. lugens as nymphs and adults were determined.