Occurrence of certain cuticular structures confirms functionality of dorsal abdominal scent glands in Acanthosomatidae (Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea)
Abstract
Elasmucha ferrugata (Fabricius, 1787) (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae) provides maternal care of eggs and larvae. Adults of both sexes have functional anterior dorsal abdominal scent glands (DAGs).
Study of all internal and external cuticular structures of DAGs revealed that no DAGs are fully functional in the 1st larval instar, and very probably they are only slightly functional in the 2nd instar. Median and posterior DAGs are undoubtedly not functional in adults.
There exists sexual dimorphism in the number of multicellular glandular units in anterior glands in adults. The occurrence of cuticular ductules of these units proves these to be functional glands.
This is best considered in combination with the findings of a well-developed evaporatorium. Developed cuticular intima of the gland reservoir and/or the nearly closed ostiole or ostiolar scar bears no information about the functionality of the gland.