Ultrastructure of the wax‐gland system in subterranean scale insects (homoptera, coccoidea, margarodidae)

Abstract

The ultrastructure of wax glands (integumentary, stigmatic, and peristigmatic glands) was investigated in larvae, cysts, and adult females and males of species belonging to the genera Porphyrophora, Sphaeraspis, and Eurhizococcus. The general organization and cytological characteristics are similar for all glands studied. Each gland is composed of a single layer of 8 to 40 cells. The glandular cells are characterized by a very large quantity of smooth endoplasmic reticulum which forms dense zones throughout the cytoplasm, but is always placed near the collecting canals in the presence of mitochondria. Each cell has a central canal reservoir which penetrates it deeply and gives rise to a large number of lateral collecting canals, formed by the invagination of the apical plasma membrane. The canals open into a subcuticular cavity forming a common reservoir in which the secretion is accumulated. This reservoir is covered by a modified cuticle formed from the endocuticle and the epicuticle. The endocuticle is composed of a network of fine tubular structures and has many filaments on its surface. The epicuticle is perforated by numerous pores. There is no cuticular duct. The secretion crosses the cuticle in three successive steps. First, it passes through the filaments, then through fine tubular structures of the endocuticle, and finally through the epicuticular pores.

Ground pearls: a generic revision of the Margarodidaesensu stricto(Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea)

“…can have about 120 pores producing an amorphous secretion. (Foldi, 1981). Abdominal spiracles in 2-8 pairs rarely absent; spiracular atrium with disc-pores.…”

Dermal pores and wax secretion in mealybugMaconellicoccus hirsutus(Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae). A pest of mulberry

“…Similar long and hollow wax filaments are reported in three species of pseudococcids: Ferrisia virgata, Phenacoccus manihoti and Planococcus citri (Cox & Pearce, 1983). In the family Margarodidae, similar wax filaments are produced by disc-type and bilocular pores (Ben-Dov, 1981;Foldi, 1981). In Eriococcus lagerstraemiae the long and hollow wax form a felty sac (Waku & Manabe, 1981).…”

The Fine Structure of Insect Glands Secreting Waxy Substances

“…Morphologically similar wax glands occur in many scale insects including those species belonging to the subterranean family Margarodidae (Foldi, 1981) and the shellac-producing species K. lacca (Haque, 1975a,b). In each integumentary wax gland of Porphyrophora critmi (Margarodidae), there are 18 identical secretory cells with branched collecting canals and extensive network of SER ( Figures 3A, 4, and 5).…”