Diapause is a process which evolved to overcome harsh conditions, e.g. low temperatures and scarce resources. It is mostly regulated by the juvenile hormone. In the hemipteran bug P. apterus, the diapausing stage happens in adults and is connected with stalled reproduction.

In this project, we investigate the changes in immune response in diapausing and non-diapausing adults. Surprisingly, we also observe changes in immune cell counts between males and females.