Protein profiles of Spodoptera litura (F.) male accessory reproductive gland and its secretions.

Protein profiles of the male accessory reproductive glands of a polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their glandular secretions were analyzed by electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. The study revealed the presence of 23 proteins in the glands and 14 in the secretions. The molecular weights of the gland proteins ranged from 163 to 3.8 KD whereas that of secretions ranged from 100 to 3.8 KD. The 9 low molecular weight proteins of the secretions are a characteristic feature. It is suggested that the secretions may contain a sex peptide that has a role in the fertility and fecundity of the females.