Abstract
The forewing articulation of single species from each of the four subgroups of Sternorrhyncha (Aleyrodomorpha, Aphidomorpha, Coccomorpha, Psyllomorpha) was examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The species were compared with a species of Cixiidae (Fulgoromorpha), as an outgroup of Sternorrhyncha. We present the results of a comparative analysis of the forewing articulation in these five groups, propose a standardized terminology and compare our findings with those previously reported. The wing base of all examined species is composed of the following structures: anterior and posterior notal wing process, first, second, and third axillary sclerites, tegula, and axillary cord. The number of elements included in the wing base and the surrounding area is the greatest in Cacopsyllamali, the most complicated species from Sternorrhyncha. Based on the shape of axillary sclerites and the number of elements forming the wing base environment, Orthezia urticae (Coccomorpha) and Cixius nervosus (Fulgoromorpha) are the most similar. Among Sternorrhyncha, the most similar axillaries are those of Aphis fabae and Orthezia urticae, which is congruent with existing classifications. In this paper we show that the four groups from Sternorrhyncha exhibit their own distinct wing base morphology.
Highlights
The emergence of wings and ability to fly was a key to the evolutionary success of insects
We present the results of a comparative analysis of the forewing articulation in these five groups, propose a standardized terminology and compare our findings with those previously reported
In this paper we show that the four groups from Sternorrhyncha exhibit their own distinct wing base morphology
Summary
The emergence of wings and ability to fly was a key to the evolutionary success of insects. According to the diagram of the insect wing articulation (Snodgrass 1935), it usually consists of three main axillary sclerites (1Ax, 2Ax, 3Ax) [e.g. Hymenoptera and Orthoptera have a fourth axillary sclerite (4Ax) (Brodsky 1996) as Aleyrodidae according to Weber 1935)] and the structures forming the environment of wing base. Two of these structures, the humeral plate and the tegula, constitute a connection between the wing base and the thorax. We undertook a study (1) to re-describe and compare the forewing articulations among the representatives of Sternorrhyncha using optical and scanning electron microscopy, (2) to compare the obtained results to a representative of Fulgoromopha, (3) to compare our results with the conclusions of previous authors, and (4) to unify the terminology
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