Abstract
Scanning electron microscopic examination of the egg shell and associated structures of Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) reveals a distinct pattern of structural elements, viz. microsculpture of the chorion, pseudoperculum, egg burster and aeromicropylar processes. The egg shell has a highly decorated chorion with a structural difference at both the anterior and posterior ends. A reticulate type of microsculpture with varying sizes of spine-like projections measures 4.02 ± 0.06 to 8.12 ± 0.05 μm and forms an asteroid-like shape at the anterior pole, while the surface at the posterior end has elongated striations over the chorion measuring 72.00 ± 0.074 μm. The pseudoperculum of the egg shell is a circular lid measuring 518 ± 11.43 μn in diameter. During hatching the line of rupture follows the micropylar ring, and this sometimes extends beyond the ring of micropylar processes. An inverted T-shaped black egg burster measures 202 ± 4.63 μm in length, is well developed and can be seen prior to hatching within a thin and transparent egg shell. It is a median sclerotised part of embryonic cuticle. The aeromicropylar processes are situated at the anterior pole of the barrel-shaped eggs. There are 26–28 aeromicropylar processes arranged in a circle at almost equidistance and each micropylar process is slightly curved opposite to the pseudoperculum lid with a bulbous end at the apex. The aeromicropylar processes are 25.40 ± 0.083 μm in length and 3.02 ± 0.07 μm in width. Each micropylar process has a central canal for the passage of sperm whereas the rest of its body is porous, and allows respiratory interchange.
Résumé
L’observation au microscope électronique à balayage de l’enveloppe et des structures associées de l’oeuf de Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) révèle une différence de motif des éléments structuraux, à savoir des microsculptures du chorion, un opercule, une languette d’éclosion et des aéropyles. L’enveloppe de l’oeuf a un chorion richement décoré avec une différence structurale aux deux extrémités antérieure et postérieure. Une microsculpture de type réticulé avec des projections en forme d’épine de tailles variables qui mesurent 4,02 ± 0,06 à 8,12 ± 0,05 (im et constituent une sorte d’astéroïde au pôle antérieure, alors que la surface de l’extrémité postérieure a des striations allongées sur le chorion mesurant 72,00 ± 0,074 μm. L’opercule est un couvercle circulaire mesurant 518 ± 11,43 μm de diamètre. Pendant l’éclosion la ligne de moindre résistance suit l’anneau micropilaire, et s’étend parfois au delà. Un languette d’éclosion en forme de T inversé mesurant 202 ± 4,63 (im de long, est bien développée et peut être vu avant l’éclosion à l’intérieur d’une enveloppe de l’oeuf fine et transparente. C’est une partie sclérotisée médiane de la cuticule embryonnaire. Les aéropyles sont situés au pôle antérieur des oeufs qui a la forme d’un tonneau. Il y a 26–28 aéropyles disposés en cercle à quasi équidistance et chaque micropyle est légèrement recourbé à l’opposé de l’opercule avec une extrémité bulbeuse à l’apex. Les aéropyles ont 25,40 ± 0,83 μm de long et 3,02 ± 0,07 μm de large. Chaque micropyle a un canal central pour le passage du sperme alors que le reste de son corps est poreux, et permet les échanges respiratoires.
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Kumar, V., Morrison, M.N., Babu, A.M. et al. Egg Shell Architecture of the Stink Bug, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff.): Ultrastructure of Micropylar Processes and Egg Burster. Int J Trop Insect Sci 22, 67–73 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400015071
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400015071