Abstract: Based on changes in nucleic acids and proteins during the development of Bombyx mori female accessory glands, it was determined that the protein content in these glands increased gradually from the sixth day after pupation to day of eclosion, peaking on the day of eclosion (860±70 μg/pair). The ratio of host Telenomus theophilae recognition kairomone to total protein varied significantly at different development stages, from 10% on the sixth day after pupation to 58% on the day of eclosion. The amount of total RNA increased from the sixth day after pupation to the day just before eclosion, but decreased quickly after eclosion. The quantity of RNA varied significantly between the secretory and reservoir portions. In the secretory portion, the amount of total RNA changed significantly during the development of the accessory glands. At its peak, the total RNA in the secretory portion accounted for more than 90% of the total RNA in the accessory glands. In contrast, the amount of total RNA in the reservoir portion was much less than that in the secretory portion and did not change significantly through development. The total RNA in the reservoir portion was only 1/10 as much as in the secretory portion on the day before eclosion. Agarose gel electrophoresis indicated that the quantity of 18S rRNA was much higher than that of 28S rRNA in the secretory portion. Certain sizes of extracted mRNA were relatively abundant, suggesting that these kinds of mRNA are specifically related to certain major secretory proteins.

Key words: Bombyx mori, Telenomous theophilae, host recognition kairomone, nucleic acids