Exogenous makisterone A accelerates early embryonic development in the milkweed bugOncopeltus fasciatus

Summary Reproducing females ofOncopeltus fasciatus which were treated with exogenous makisterone A and 20-hydroxyecdysone laid eggs with considerably elevated ecdysteroid contents. The early embryonic development was markedly accelerated when the mother was treated with makisterone A, whereas 20-hydroxyecdysone had no influence.Supported by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Do 163/7) to A. D.The technical assistance of Ms Heike Bender is acknowledged. We thank Dr K.-D. Spindler for providing us with antiserum for the RIA.