Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede Feeding

Millipede assassin bugs are a diverse group of specialized millipede predators. However, the feeding behavior of Ectrichodiinae remains poorly known, especially how the mouthpart structures relate to various functions in feeding. In this study, fine morphology of the mouthparts and feeding performan...

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Main Authors: Yan Wang, Junru Zhang, Wanshan Wang, Jolanta Brożek, Wu Dai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
Series:Insects
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/6/386
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spelling doaj-ab9511627dfa42aab85a6d4d6be0d5ae2020-11-25T03:45:17ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502020-06-011138638610.3390/insects11060386Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede FeedingYan Wang0Junru Zhang1Wanshan Wang2Jolanta Brożek3Wu Dai4Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, ChinaFaculty of Natural Science, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, PolandKey Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of the Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, ChinaMillipede assassin bugs are a diverse group of specialized millipede predators. However, the feeding behavior of Ectrichodiinae remains poorly known, especially how the mouthpart structures relate to various functions in feeding. In this study, fine morphology of the mouthparts and feeding performance of <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål, 1867) was observed and described in detail for the first time. The triangular labrum is divided by a conspicuous transverse membrane into a strongly sclerotized basilabrum and a less sclerotized distilabrum. Fifteen types of sensilla are distributed on the mouthparts. Each mandibular stylet has an expanded spatulate apex and about 150 approximately transverse ridges on the external middle side; these help in penetrating the ventral trunk area and the intersegmental membranes of millipede prey. The right maxilla is tapered. On the internal surface are a row dorsal short bristles near the apex and a row of ventral bristles preapically. A longitudinal row of long lamellate structures extend proximate for a considerable distance, lie entirely within the food canal, and bear several short spines and short bristles. There is no obvious difference between males and females in the distribution, number, and types of sensilla on mouthparts. The adult feeding process involves several steps, including searching and capturing prey, paralyzing prey, a resting phase, and a feeding phase. The evolution of the mouthpart morphology and the putative functional significance of their sensilla are discussed, providing insight into the structure and function of the mouthparts adapted for millipede feeding.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/6/386Reduviidaemouthpartssensillumfeedingpredation
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Yan Wang
Junru Zhang
Wanshan Wang
Jolanta Brożek
Wu Dai
spellingShingle Yan Wang
Junru Zhang
Wanshan Wang
Jolanta Brożek
Wu Dai
Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede Feeding
Insects
Reduviidae
mouthparts
sensillum
feeding
predation
author_facet Yan Wang
Junru Zhang
Wanshan Wang
Jolanta Brożek
Wu Dai
author_sort Yan Wang
title Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede Feeding
title_short Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede Feeding
title_full Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede Feeding
title_fullStr Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede Feeding
title_full_unstemmed Unique Fine Morphology of Mouthparts in <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Adapted to Millipede Feeding
title_sort unique fine morphology of mouthparts in <i>haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (stål) (hemiptera: reduviidae) adapted to millipede feeding
publisher MDPI AG
series Insects
issn 2075-4450
publishDate 2020-06-01
description Millipede assassin bugs are a diverse group of specialized millipede predators. However, the feeding behavior of Ectrichodiinae remains poorly known, especially how the mouthpart structures relate to various functions in feeding. In this study, fine morphology of the mouthparts and feeding performance of <i>Haematoloecha nigrorufa</i> (Stål, 1867) was observed and described in detail for the first time. The triangular labrum is divided by a conspicuous transverse membrane into a strongly sclerotized basilabrum and a less sclerotized distilabrum. Fifteen types of sensilla are distributed on the mouthparts. Each mandibular stylet has an expanded spatulate apex and about 150 approximately transverse ridges on the external middle side; these help in penetrating the ventral trunk area and the intersegmental membranes of millipede prey. The right maxilla is tapered. On the internal surface are a row dorsal short bristles near the apex and a row of ventral bristles preapically. A longitudinal row of long lamellate structures extend proximate for a considerable distance, lie entirely within the food canal, and bear several short spines and short bristles. There is no obvious difference between males and females in the distribution, number, and types of sensilla on mouthparts. The adult feeding process involves several steps, including searching and capturing prey, paralyzing prey, a resting phase, and a feeding phase. The evolution of the mouthpart morphology and the putative functional significance of their sensilla are discussed, providing insight into the structure and function of the mouthparts adapted for millipede feeding.
topic Reduviidae
mouthparts
sensillum
feeding
predation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/6/386
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