论文信息 - Morphology of Richards' gland in the wasp Metapolybia docilis

Morphology of Richards' gland in the wasp Metapolybia docilis

richards' gland in the epiponine wasp Metapolybia docilis occurs at the anterior side of the 5th abdominal sternite, and is formed by approx. 360 secretory cells. The cells discharge their secretory products through accompanying duct cells into a reservoir that is formed by the invaginated intersegmental membrane between the 4th and 5th sternites. The ultrastructural characteristics of the secretory cells are indicative for the production of a non-proteinaceous secretion, which is in line with the trail substance that is used by these wasps during their swarm-founding.

J. Billen | F. Noll

[1] M. Winston,et al. Pheromone Communication in Social Insects , 1997 .

[2] R. Jeanne,et al. Morphology and function of sternal glands in polistine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) , 1983, Zoomorphology.

[3] R. Jeanne,et al. Richards' gland and associated cuticular modifications in social wasps of the genusPolybia Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae, Polybiini) , 1982, Insectes Sociaux.

[4] Rl Jeanne,et al. The swarm-founding Polistinae , 1991 .

[5] M. West-Eberhard. The nature and evolution of swarming in tropical social wasps (Vespidae, Polistinae, Polybiini) , 1982 .

[6] C. Noirot,et al. Fine structure of insect epidermal glands , 1974 .