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The effects of different temperatures (23°C and 8°C) on activity of corpora allata (CA) and dorsolateral (L1, L2) protocerebral neurosecretory neurons were investigated in Morimus funereus Mulsant (1863) larvae collected from a natural population during March. Activity of CA was revealed by monitoring of CA volume and cell number. Increase of CA volume after two day exposure to both temperatures was shown to be the result of increase in cell number. Activity of CA was higher at 23°C than 8°C. Activity of L1 and L2 neurosecretory neurons was inhibited at both temperatures. Neurosecretory neurons were more sensitive to temperature of 23°C than 8°C. It can be supposed that dorsolateral neurosecretory neurons synthesize neurohormones that affect CA activity, depending on environmental temperature.

The response of starved Morimus funereus larvae refed with an artificial diet (Galford, 1967) was examined in the present paper. Larvae were offered diets varying in protein quality (soya protein, casein, and gelatin). Refeeding with the Galford diet (G I) and two modifications of it in which soya protein was supplemented with casein (G II) or gelatin (G III) led to an increase of body mass. Different protein quality in the nutritive substrate influenced both the quantity and quality of midgut and brain proteins.