Tuesday, December 12, 2006
D0205

On the structure and possible function of the male scape glands of Melittobia parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): Preliminary studies

Jorge M. Gonzalez, jmgonzalez@tamu.edu, Freder Medina, fmedina@tamu.edu, Toghara Azizi, toghi@tamu.edu, and S. Bradleigh Vinson, bvinson@tamu.edu. Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology, Entomology Research Laboratory, College Station, TX

The antennae of insects are generally considered to be sensory organs. But besides the role on chemical perception, glands are also part of some antennal segments. Such glands can be found in the scapes of Melittobia males. The role of these glands is not clearly known but it is related to the complex courtship performed by these wasps. Preliminary research has allowed us to find unique band of a protein with a molecular weight of about 18kDa. As a preliminary study we present herein some morphological details of the position of the glands in the scapes of males, as well as their possible function on three Melittobia species.


Species 1: Hymenoptera Eulophidae Melittobia acasta
Species 2: Hymenoptera Eulophidae Melittobia australica (Australian wowbug)
Species 3: Hymenoptera Eulophidae Melittobia digitata (Wowbug)