A New Technique for Preserving the Form of Artificially Inflated Endophalli of Bees.

Abstract

We present a simple technique for keeping the form of artificially expanded endophalli in bees (Hymenoptera). Endophalli were inflated using the introduction of low melting-point agarose from a syringe inserted in the anterior opening of the metasoma. Under refrigeration, the endophalli kept their expanded shape for up to three days allowing the description of structure, morphometric analyses, and examination of the external sculpturing of the cuticle under scanning electron microscope. The technique provides new possibilities for the study of functional morphology, sexual selection, and reconstruction of bee phylogeny.