Sternal gland structures in males of bean flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti, and Poinsettia thrips, Echinothrips americanus, in comparison with those of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

摘要: Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the subfamily Thripinae. They vary in shape, size and distribution even between species one genus. Their functional role is speculated to be that sex- and/or aggregation pheromone production. Yet, sexual aggregations not reported Echinothrips americanus, known have sternal pores, while we observed Megalurothrips sjostedti, previously lack them. We examined glands thripine E. americanus M. sjostedti males, comparison with those Frankliniella occidentalis using light microscopy, as well scanning transmission electron microscopy. Pore plates F. occidentalis were ellipsoid medial on sternites III-VII, they distributed multiple micro pore III-VIII. In appeared an extremely small front posterior margin each IV-VII. plate area similarly III-VII F. occidentalis. However, total increased significantly from III VIII. Ultrastructure cells associated showed typical characteristics gland differ size, shape number. The function further discussed basis morphological comparisons other thrips species.