A Study Invitro of Phagocytosis in the Haemocytes of the Scavenger Beetle Dermestes vulpinus (Klug.) (Dermestidae: Coleoptera)

Abstract

The carbon clearance method was used to study in vitro the phagocytic activity of the haemocytes of the scavenger beetle, Dermestes vulpinus. The phagocytic index (K) increased gradually to a peak after 55 min. of the experiment before dropping. The spindle-shaped plasmatocytes were the most active, followed by rounded plasmatocytes; granular haemocytes dis¬played limited phagocytic powers.Phagocytosis was also observed by phase contrast microscopy during which pseudopodia were seen protruding from the haemocytes to engulf the carbon particles.