The role of nourishment in oogenesis

Oogenesis in insects is triggered only if sufficient nourishment is available. This nourishment can be acquired during the larval or adult stage. When nourishment for eggs is taken primarily by adults, insufficient nutrition inhibits egg development through mechanisms such as inhibition of corpora allata, as seen in Orthopotera and Blattaria. In adult Diptera, lack of protein inhibits release of brain factors that produce reproductive competency or ovarian stimulation. Mating can stimulate oogenesis through mobilization of reserves or through nutritional contributions by males to females. Activity, especially flight, and oogenesis can compete for energy. Social insects exhibit extreme specializations in oogenesis. Food flow within colonies is a major factor regulating fecundity. Maternal nourishment is not needed for oogenesis in parasitoids and pseudoplacental viviparous insects. -from Author