A new in vivo capillary assay of coagulation in invertebrates

Abstract

Greater understanding of insect clotting requires better tests that can be performed in whole, living insects. We found we could collect hemolymph bleeding from wounded Drosophila larvae in microcapillary tubes. The capillary assay showed a difference in the amount of bleeding between feeding and wandering stage third instar larvae, and performed well with clotting mutations. This new in vivo coagulation assay will be helpful for studies of coagulation in Drosophila and other invertebrates.

Keywords

• Drosophila
• hemolymph
• hemolectin
• hemocytes
• phenoloxidase