bursicon

biochemistry

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June 22, 2026

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Bursicon is a neurohormone in insects that plays a crucial role in the post-molting process. It is produced in the insect brain and released from neurohemal organs. Bursicon acts directly on the adult cuticle, stimulating the processes of darkening and hardening. This hormone has a molecular weight of approximately 30,000.1

The molting process, or ecdysis, involves shedding the old exoskeleton and forming a new one. Bursicon is one of several hormones that regulate this complex process, working alongside others like ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone to ensure proper development and hardening of the new cuticle after shedding.2

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hormone
Neurohormones
…the thoracotropic hormone and called bursicon acts directly on the adult cuticle (skin) of arthropods to stimulate darkening and hardening processes. Bursicon has a molecular weight of about 30,000. The brain of insects also produces a third neurohormone, which has a hyperglycemic (increase in level of blood glucose) effect in…
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…the thoracotropic hormone and called bursicon acts directly on the adult cuticle (skin) of arthropods to stimulate darkening and hardening processes. Bursicon has a molecular weight of about 30,000. The brain of insects also produces a third neurohormone, which has a hyperglycemic (increase in level of blood glucose) effect in…
Read More