The Reproductive Tract of the Males of the Zoophytophagous Predator Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) with Different Diets and Ages | Science Publications

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Francisco S. Ramalho¹  Jose E. Serrao¹  Jose C. Zanuncio¹  Rafael C. Ribeiro¹  Walkymario P. Lemos¹ 

关键词: Brontocoris tabidus;    spermatocytes;    Tenebrio molitor;    Podisus nigrispinus;    Troilus luridus;    zoophytophagous;    heteroptera;    Federal University of Vi;    pentatomidae;    asopinae;    phytophagy;    Perillus bioculatus;    reproduction;    Supputius cincticeps;    testis;    Eucalyptus cloeziana;    morphology;    Eucalyptus urophylla;   

DOI  :  10.3844/ajabssp.2011.12.18

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: Science Publications

【 摘 要 】

Problem statement: Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is acommon and important species for the biological control of defoliating Lepidoptera caterpillars.Although it has a predatory feeding habit, this species make use of plant resources, which are essentialfor the maintenance of its population in laboratory colonies as well as in the field during periods ofprey shortage. Thus B. tabidus has been considered an obligate zoophytophagous insect. However theimpact of the age and herbivory on the morphology of the reproductive organs has been poorly studiedin predatory Pentatomidae. The morphology of the reproductive tract of B. tabidus males with differentages and fed on different diets were analyzed. Approach: Nymphs of B. tabidus were maintained inthe field with or without plants and fed on T. molitor pupae without plant (T1); T. molitor pupae andEucalyptus cloeziana plants (T₂); T. molitor pupae and Eucalyptus urophylla plants (T₃) or T. molitorpupae and guava plants (Psidium guajava L.) (T₄). Adults of B. tabidus obtained from each treatmentwere sexed in the first day of their emergence and thirty-six pairs were formed per treatment. Tenmales of B. tabidus 15 and 21 days old, obtained in each treatment were dissected and the reproductivetract submitted to histological analyses. The total area of the testes of B. tabidus was measured andthe data were submitted to the variance analysis and means between treatments were compared bythe test of Newman-Keuls (p = 0.05). Results: The inner genitalia of B. tabidus males had red colorand the testes with six follicles. Males 15 days old presented larger testes when fed on E. cloeziana(0.94 mm2), E. urophylla (0.98 mm²) or only T. molitor pupae (0.99 mm²) than with guava plants(0.76 mm²). Twenty-one days old B. tabidus males presented testes with similar size, independent ofthe diet. The testes follicles of B. tabidus had larger amount of spermatozoa with all diets and agesshowing that the spermatogenesis process was completed. The testes of this predator showed similarhistological characteristics with all diets. Conclusion: The herbivory change the morphology of thereproductive tract of B. tabidus males in field conditions resulting in testes with different sizes, but itdoes not affect the histology of the reproductive organ of this predator. Therefore, the food typesupplied to B. tabidus males does not affect the spermatogenesis process in this natural enemy.

【 授权许可】

Unknown