EVALUATION OF LARVAL HEMOLYMPH AMINO ACIDS AS A TAXONOMIC CHARACTER FOR NEODIPRION SAWFLIES (HYMENOPTERA: DIPRIONIDAE)

Abstract The composition and variation of hemolymph amino acids in larvae of nine species of the genus Neodiprion were studied. The amino acid pattern was the same in all samples analyzed. Quantitative differences were as great within as between species; hence, hemolymph amino acid data does not appear to be of taxonomic usefulness for this genus.