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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2023

Antennal and maxillary palp morphology, and sensillar equipment, of the spruce bark beetle predators, Medetera signaticornis and Medetera infumata (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Sousa, Maria; Ignell, Rickard; Pollet, Marc; Green, Kristina K.; Becher, Paul G.; Birgersson, Goran

Abstract

Many long-legged Medetera flies are natural enemies of bark beetle pests, which they detect using ol-factory cues, likely through olfactory sensilla on the antennae and maxillary palps. Morphological characterisation of olfactory sensilla among insects can provide a basis for future taxonomic, phyloge-netic or electrophysiological studies. Scanning electron microscopy was used to describe the morphology of olfactory organs and sensillar equipment of Medetera signaticornis and M. infumata. Three different olfactory sensillum types were found in both fly species, sensilla trichodea, s. basiconica and grooved pegs. Based on size and wall structure, s. trichodea and s. basiconica were categorised into different subtypes. Sharp-tipped curved s. trichodea, and small, large and thin s. basiconica were found on the antennal postpedicel of M. signaticornis adults, while grooved s. basiconica were found in M. infumata. The density of sharp-tipped long s. trichodea was significantly higher in males compared to females, and in M. signaticornis compared to M. infumata. Long-grooved s. basiconica were found grouped in a small pit on the maxillary palps of both species. Comparison of our results with the limited available ecological data suggests that differences in numbers of specific sensillum types may reflect adaptations related to olfactory-driven behaviours such as host seeking.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Keywords

Host finding; Biocontrol; Peripheral olfactory system; Chemosensory; Ips typographus

Published in

Arthropod Structure and Development
2023, Volume: 72, article number: 101229
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD