Morphology of the Nervous System of Adult Prodenia litura1,2

An account of the nervous system of adult P. litura (F.) is given. The proto-, deuto-, and tritocerebral lobes of the brain are distinct. The frontal and occipital ganglia are connected with the brain by distinct nerve connectives. The subesophageal ganglion is almost fused with the ventrocaudal margin of the brain and is the nerve center of the much-reduced and modified mouthparts. The pterothoracic ganglion is formed by the fusion of meso- and metathoracic ganglia and gives rise to several nerves. The ventral nerve cord joining the pterothoracic and the 1st abdominal ganglion bears a pair of nerves and a rudimentary ganglionic mass. There are 4 distinct abdominal ganglia. The last abdominal ganglion is situated in the 6th segment and controls the activities of the intestine, reproductive organs, and external genitalia.