New haemolytic potential assay on an alternative insect model.

A new screening test of a haemolytic potential is presented on Spodoptera larvae in vivo. The assay was evaluated using phenylhydrazine, the well-known xenobiotic which induces haemolysis in mammals. Haemocyte disintegration causes changes in total haemocyte counts and differentials. It is shown that only qualitative evaluation of panoptically stained haemolymph smears is sufficient, fast and cheap to detect haemolytic potential. The presented assay also prevents unneeded, non-ethical use of vertebrates.