Molting hormone

Pronunciation: /MOLL-ting HOR-mone/

Category: Physiology

Singular: Molting hormone

Plural: Molting hormones

Definition

Hormones that regulate insect molting, primarily ecdysone and juvenile hormone.

Etymology

Example

The rise in molting hormone levels triggers the transition from one instar to the next.

Related Terms

Ecdysone
Juvenile hormone
Metamorphosis

Usage Notes

The term 'molting hormone' is often used generically, but it can refer to both ecdysone and juvenile hormone, which have distinct roles in the molting process.