2 research outputs found
The structure of extremely long mouthparts in the aphid genus Stomaphis Walker (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae)
Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy
were used to elucidate the morphology of labium
and mandibular and maxillary stylets of the aphids Stomaphis
quercus (L.) and S. graffii Cholodkovsky. The
mechanism of labium shortening associated with feeding
process was described as well. Stomaphis quercus and S.
graffii have cone-shaped labium of 13 and 10 mm in
length, respectively, that strongly extend behind the abdomen.
The stylets bundle comprises a pair of mandibular
and maxillary stylets which are on average as long as
labium. Serial cross sections of labium revealed that the
first segment is inverted inside and the second is pulled into
it; both segments are shifted into abdomen. This study
provides new information on S. quercus and S. graffii
mouthparts that may help to understand their feeding
behavior