By use of newly developed enzyme immunoassays for ecdysteroids (ECD) and crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) it was found (1) that in the isopod Oniscus asellus a peak occurs of hemolymph (HL)-ECD contents in prcmoult stages followed by a second but smaller peak 1 h after posterior ecdysis, and (2) that concomitantly with a drop in the first ECD-peak, CCAP-contcnts of the ventral nerve cord rise tenfold basal level around posterior ecdysis. This suggests that CCAP plays a role in isopod moulting processes.