Ecdysone

Ecdysone is a prohormone of the major insect moulting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. Insect moulting hormones (ecdysone and its homologues) are generally called ecdysteroids . Ecdysteroids act as moulting hormones of arthropods but also occur in other invertebrates where they can play different role. Ecdysteroids also appear in many plants mostly as a protection agents (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivore insects.