Completion of development in Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera) eggs matured with heterospecific Athalia infumata yolk protein

Abstract Previtellogenic immature ovaries of Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera) were transplanted into the abdomens of adult male Athalia infumata hosts, which were then treated with juvenile hormone III topically to induce vitellogenin synthesis. The A. rosae oocytes accumulated the A. infumata vitellogenins and matured. The donor ovaries themselves did not contribute vitellogenins, as no vitellogenin mRNA was detected. The A. rosae oocytes matured thus solely with the heterospecific vitellogenins. A fraction of mature eggs, upon artificial activation, completed embryonic development.