The exocrine glands of Dysdercus cingulatus (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae): Morphology and function of nymphal glands

Abstract

The exocrine glandular system of the nymphs and the adults of Dysdercus cingulatus were studied. The D. cingulatus nymphs present 3 dorso-abdominal glands (lying under the 3rd, 4th, and 5th abdominal terga) and a pair of dorso-lateral pygidial glands on the pygidium (tergum 8). Histological and ultrastructural studies show that the upper and lower walls of the dorso-abdominal glands differ in structure; 3 types of cells were described: epidermal cells, unicellular secretory cells, and multicellular secretory units. Each of these exocrine glands plays an important part in the behavior of the nymphs (gregariousness, alarm, defense). The morphology of the various glands is discussed, and the chemistry of their secretions and their biological functions are considered.

Chemical Communication in the True Bugs and Parasitoid Exploitation

“…Males of most species in the superfamily Pentatomoidea have unicellular glands in the abdominal integument (Carayon, 1981;Farine, 1987;Staddon, 1990;Staddon and Edmunds, 1991). These glands are either absent or less abundant and histologically different in females.…”

Predator dependent mimetic complexes: Do passerine birds avoid Central European red-and-black Heteroptera?

“…The metathoracic secretion is known to deter predators (Remold, 1963;Schuh & Slater, 1995) including birds (e.g. Sillén-Tullberg, 1985;Schlee, 1986;Exnerová et al, 2003a); it may even be mildly poisonous or, for small predators like ants, lethal (Remold, 1963;Farine, 1988). Further universal functions of these secretions are pheromonal, bactericidal and fungicidal.…”

Anatomy of Disguise: Camouflaging Structures in Nymphs of Some Reduviidae (Heteroptera)

“…TERMINOLOGY: The terminology of glandular structures follows Farine (1987) and Noirot and Quennedey (1991). Sclerotized elements of a glandular unit are referred to as ductule or efferent duct, and comprise a receiving canal, a saccule, and a conducting canal, all of which are observable after maceration of the glandular unit.…”