Vol. 2, Issue 8, Part A (2016)

Abstract
Insect circulating hemocytes are primarily responsible for the immune defense against parasites and pathogens. In this paper THC and DHC after Aspergillus niger infection were elucidated. Injection of A. niger conidia into P. pictus resulted in changes in the total hemocyte count and differential hemocytes counts. Total hemocyte counts were higher at 2h and 4h post infection and lower at 8h and 24h post infection than control insects. There was a considerable change in the relative percentage of granulocytes and plasmatocytes in the hemolymph after challenge with A. niger. It is observed that plasmatocytes and granulocytes are the principal cell types, which respond the most during the defense.