Insect Physiology - Circulatory System

Circulatory System

Insect blood or haemolymph’s main function is that of transport and it bathes the insect’s body organs. Making up usually less than 25% of an insect’s body weight, it transports hormones, nutrients and wastes and has a role in, osmoregulation, temperature control, immunity, storage (water, carbohydrates and fats) and skeletal function. It also plays an essential part in the moulting process (McGavin, 2001; Triplehorn & Johnson, 2005). An additional role of the haemolymph in some orders, can be that of predatory defence. It can contain unpalatable and malodourous chemicals that will act as a deterrent to predators (Gullan & Cranston, 2005).

Haemolymph contains molecules, ions and cells (Gullan & Cranston, 2005). Regulating chemical exchanges between tissues, haemolymph is encased in the insect body cavity or haemocoel (Elzinga, 2004; Gullan & Cranston, 2005). It is transported around the body by combined heart (posterior) and aorta (anterior) pulsations which are located dorsally just under the surface of the body (McGavin, 2001; Gullan & Cranston, 2005; Triplehorn & Johnson, 2005). It differs from vertebrate blood in that it doesn’t contain any red blood cells and therefore is without high oxygen carrying capacity, and is more similar to lymph found in vertebrates (Elzinga, 2004; Gullan & Cranston, 2005).

Body fluids enter through one way valved ostia which are openings situated along the length of the combined aorta and heart organ. Pumping of the haemolymph occurs by waves of peristaltic contraction, originating at the body's posterior end, pumping forwards into the dorsal vessel, out via the aorta and then into the head where it flows out into the haemocoel (Elzinga, 2004; Gullan & Cranston, 2005). The haemolymph is circulated to the appendages unidirectionally with the aid of muscular pumps or accessory pulsatile organs which are usually found at the base of the antennae or wings and sometimes in the legs (Gullan & Cranston, 2005). Pumping rate accelerates due to periods of increased activity (Triplehorn & Johnson, 2005). Movement of haemolymph is particularly important for thermoregulation in orders such as Odonata, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera (Gullan & Cranston, 2005).