Peroxisomes and their putative role in the midgut epithelium of larval Aeshna cyanea (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae)

The midgut enterocytes of Aeshna larvae are rich in peroxisomes as identified by electron microscopy and catalase histochemistry. Longchain (erucic acid, C20 ; 1 cis) and trans (elaidic acid, C18 ; 1 trans) fatty acids promote the proliferation of peroxisomes. Hence, these may be involved in the modification of unusual dietary fatty acids.