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1 December 2013 The Metathoracic Scent Gland of the Leaf-Footed Bug, Leptoglossus zonatus
J. Gonzaga-Segura, J. Valdez-Carrasco, V. R. Castrejón-Gómez
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Abstract

The metathoracic scent gland of 25-day-old adults of both sexes of the leaf-footed bug, Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Coreidae), are described based on optical microscopy analysis. No sexual dimorphism was observed in the glandular composition of this species. The gland is located in the anteroventral corner of the metathoracic pleura between the middle and posterior coxal pits. The opening to the outside of the gland is very wide and permanently open as it lacks a protective membrane. In the internal part, there is a pair of metathoracic glands that consist of piles of intertwined and occasionally bifurcated cellular tubes or columns. These glands discharge their pheromonal contents into the reservoir through a narrow cuticular tube. The reservoir connects with the vestibule via two opposite and assembled cuticular folds that can separate muscularly in order to allow the flow of liquid away from the insect. The external part consists of an ostiole from which the pheromone is emitted. The ostiole is surrounded by a peritreme, a structure that aids optimum pheromone dispersion. The described gland is of the omphalien type.

Copyright: This is an open access paper. We use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license that permits unrestricted use, provided that the paper is properly attributed.
J. Gonzaga-Segura, J. Valdez-Carrasco, and V. R. Castrejón-Gómez "The Metathoracic Scent Gland of the Leaf-Footed Bug, Leptoglossus zonatus," Journal of Insect Science 13(149), 1-10, (1 December 2013). https://doi.org/10.1673/031.013.14901
Received: 27 April 2012; Accepted: 1 December 2012; Published: 1 December 2013
KEYWORDS
behavior
Heteroptera
morphology
pest
semiochemicals
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