Comparison of the antennal sensilla ultrastructure of two cryptic species in Bemisia tabaci

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 30;10(3):e0121820. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121820. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Bemisia tabaci is an important agricultural pest with worldwide distribution and host preference. Therefore, understanding the biology of this pest is important to devise specific pest control strategies. The antennae of herbivorous insects play an important role in the identification of hosts using plant volatiles. To understand the features of antennae in B. tabaci MEAM 1(formerly known as biotype 'B') and MED (formerly known as biotype 'Q'), the morphology and distribution of the antennal sensilla were examined using scanning electron micrographs. The results showed that the average antennae length in MEAM 1 was longer than MED. No differences were observed in the number and distribution of antennal sensilla in MEAM 1 and MED antennae; each antenna had nine different types of sensilla. Both cryptic species possessed Microtrichia, Grooved surface trichodea sensilla, Chaetae sensilla, Coeloconic sensillaⅠandⅡ, Basiconic sensilla Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ and Finger-like sensilla. This is the first report of Grooved surface trichodea sensilla and Basiconic sensilla Ⅱ on B. tabaci flies. The numbers of Chaetae sensilla were different in the females and males of MEAM 1 and MED, which females having 5 and males containing 7. The surface structure of Basiconic sensilla Ⅰ was different with MEAM 1 showing a multiple-pitted linen surface and MED showing a multiple-pitted pocking surface. Basiconic sensillaⅡ were double in one socket with the longer one having a multiple-pitted surface and the shorter one with a smooth surface. Basiconic Ⅲ and Finger-like sensillae were longer in MEAM 1 antennae than in MED antennae. Our results are expected to further the studies that link morphological characteristics to insect behavior and help devise strategies to control insect pests.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthropod Antennae / ultrastructure*
  • Female
  • Hemiptera / classification
  • Hemiptera / ultrastructure*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Sensilla / ultrastructure*
  • Species Specificity

Grants and funding

This study was supported partly by research grants from National Basic Research Program of China (2013CB127605), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31471773) and the earmarked fund for Beijing Leafy Vegetables Innovation Team of Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System(blvt-13). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.