Fig. 3

Gene expression profiles of highly expressed genes before presoldier and neotenic molt were compared among three body parts (i.e., head, thorax and abdomen). Relative expression levels (mean ± S.D., n = 3) to the mean expression were calibrated using an internal control (RP49). The dots on each bar indicate actual expression levels in each sample. A At 1 week after induction of presoldier molt, only Dfd was highly expressed at the head (highlighted in blue). B 2 weeks after induction of neotenic differentiation, abd-A and Abd-B were specifically expressed at the abdomen (highlighted in red). C In nymphs with swollen wing buds, at stages just prior to alate molt, Scr and Antp were specifically expressed at the thorax (highlighted in orange). Different letters shown above the bars indicate significant differences among categories (Tukey’s test, p < 0.05)