Which hormone is responsible for controlling molting in insects?

The hormone that is primarily responsible for controlling molting in insects is ecdysone. Ecdysone is a steroid hormone that triggers the process of metamorphosis and is crucial for the shedding of the old exoskeleton during molting. When an insect prepares to molt, ecdysone levels rise, stimulating the physiological changes needed for the insect to grow and develop into the next stage of its life cycle.

Juvenile hormone, while also important in the molting process, works alongside ecdysone to regulate the timing and nature of the molt. It helps determine whether the insect will develop into a larval stage, pupal stage, or adult form after molting. Chitin is not a hormone; it is a polysaccharide that is a primary component of the insect exoskeleton, providing structural support. Insulin is a hormone that plays a critical role in glucose metabolism and is not involved in the molting process of insects.

Understanding the role of ecdysone in molting is essential for those studying insect physiology and pest management, as it can help in developing targeted control measures for pest species.