The First Complete 3D Reconstruction of a Spanish Fly Primary Larva (Lytta vesicatoria, Meloidae, Coleoptera)

Abstract

The first detailed anatomical study of a primary larva of Meloidae is presented. Thereby techniques such as three-dimensional reconstructions, microtome sections, SEM (scanning electronic microscopy) and CLSM (confocal laser scanning microscopy) are applied. The structural features are discussed in the context of phylogeny, but also possible correlations with parasitism, phoresy and miniaturisation. The triungulin first instar larva is likely an apomorphy of Meloidae excl. Eleticinae and linked with a specialisation on acridoid eggs or larvae and provisions of bees. The campodeid body shape of Lytta and Meloinae is a groundplan feature of Meloidae, whereas a navicular body is an autapomorphy of the generally phoretic larvae of Nemognathinae. Head structures of Lytta and features of the postcephalic body are largely plesiomorphic. The musculature of the head is only moderately simplified while the one of the postcephalic body is well developed. Its thorax is largely characterised by plesiomorphies. The characteristics of the legs suggest phoretic habits, even though this does not apply to larvae of Lytta. It is conceivable that a phoretic behaviour is secondarily lost, together with some but not all morphological modifications related to it. Derived features of the abdomen of Meloidae are the complete loss of the fixed urogomphi (also missing in Rhipiphoridae and other related groups) and the presence of one or two conspicuous caudal bristles. Only few features of Lytta are shared with the parasitic larvae of Rhipiphoridae and Strepsiptera. These characteristics, which are possibly linked with specialised life habits, have obviously evolved independently. Miniaturisation effects are minimal in the larvae of Lytta.

Xenos vesparum(Strepsiptera: Xenidae)—A New Insect Model and Its Endoparasitic Secondary Larva

“…The musculature of the secondary larvae is very similar in both sexes, especially in the abdomen (Table 1). It is strongly simplified in comparison with the primary larvae (Osswald et al 2010, Knauthe et al 2016) and larvae of other groups of Holometabola (e.g., Beutel et al 2008a,b; Ge et al 2012; Jandausch et al 2018). The musculature of the abdomen is weakly developed in comparison to the male tertiary larva of E .…”

When the Utility of Micro-Computed Tomography Collides with Insect Sample Preparation: An Entomologist User Guide to Solve Post-Processing Issues and Achieve Optimal 3D Models

“…Moreover, in the case of species belonging to the genus Paussus, the extreme rarity of these insects meant that no other specimens were available and that it was not possible to perform destructive procedures, such as dissections [32]. The latter, in fact, irreparably damage the specimen, which is not always possible in the case of holotypes or extremely rare species and is difficult to obtain in the field or from museums and other private collections [18,33,34].…”

A flea beetle can stick a perfect landing

“…The data les were then transferred to Maya 2011 (Autodesk, USA)) to use the smoothing function, speci c display, and render options of this software. Final gures were processed by Photoshop CS5 (Adobe, USA) and Illustrator CS5 (Adobe, USA) (Ge et al 2012).…”