[Nervous system control of molting in Sphaeroma serratum (Fabricus, 1787) (Crustacea, Isopoda, Flabellifera)].

Removal of optic lobes does not seem to have an important effect on moulting. On the contrary, the removal of protocerebron and optic lobes from C4 males Spheroms prevents them from beginning a premoult; if the operation is performed during the D0 or D1 stages, the Spheroms advance up to D2 but do not moult. The implantation of protocerebron and of optic lobes into brainless Spheroms remaining in C4 seems to restore premoult only with difficulty. In Sphaeroma serratum, the protocerebron would therefore exert a control upon both the beginning of premoult and the ecdysis.