Study on morphology and abundance of hemocytes in spurge hawk moth Hyles euphorbiae Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Hemocytes are the important immune index against entomopathogens and parasitoides. Exact identification of hemocytes and reaction to foreign agent in which induce to hemolymph, cause better study on different aspects of cellular defence. In this research, hemocytes of all stages Hyles euphorbiae were examined by light microscopy. Five identified types of hemocyte in this insect were; Prohemocyte, Plasmotocyte, Granulocyte, Oenocytoide and Spherulocyte. All hemocytes types were detected in each stage but frequency of them in each stage was different. THC showed that Total hemocyte count increase with increase in larval instars gradually. Then THC decrease in pupa and adult. Differential count hemocyte indicated that plasmotocytes and granulocytes are the most abundant in 4th and 5th instars. Mitotic divisions were observed among some hemocytes in primary instars. Identification of hemocytes in H. euphorbiae was carried out for the first time and could provide background for immune study of this insect against parasitoides.