Abstract
In the present study the temporal changes in the volume of the corpus allatum in three experimental groups of adult males (macropterous, reproductive brachypterous and diapausing brachypterous) of the flightless bug Pyrrhocoris apterus were determined and related to the size of male accessory glands. The results revealed wing morph- and age-dependent differences in the corpus allatum volume in males of this bug. In 4-14 day old males, the volumes of the corpus allatum and accessory glands were largest in long-day reproductive brachypters, intermediate in long-day macropters, and smallest in short-day diapausing brachypters. The smaller corpus allatum in young macropterous males than in same aged reproductive brachypterous males was due to the sponta- neous fasting of the former. Later, starting on day 18 after adult emergence, i.e. when macropterous males were feeding normally, there were no significant differences in the volumes of the corpus allatum between long-day brachypterous and macropterous males. On the other hand, the corpus allatum of 18-28 day old diapausing brachypterous males was significantly smaller than that of same aged long-day macropterous and reproductive brachypterous males. The sizes of the corpus allatum and accessory glands were sig- nificantly positively correlated in macropterous and diapausing brachypterous males. This is the first report of corpus allatum volume-dependent wing morph-related differences in the rate of accessory gland maturation in males of insects with a non-functional macropterism. The role of differential activity of the corpus allatum in the different life history strategies of males of the two wing morphs in this wing-polymorphic insect is discussed.
Highlights
The firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) is a typical representative of wing-polymorphic insects that have evolved flightlessness (HonČk, 1995; Socha & Zemek, 2000a)
The largest corpus allatum (CA) volume was recorded for B-R males, the smallest for B-D males
The largest CA and accessory glands (AGs) were recorded in long-day B-R males, intermediate sized ones in long-day M males and the smallest in short-day B-D males
Summary
The firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) is a typical representative of wing-polymorphic insects that have evolved flightlessness (HonČk, 1995; Socha & Zemek, 2000a) It is a common Palaearctic phytophagous species producing individuals of long-winged (macropterous) and shortwinged (brachypterous) morphs (Socha, 1993). In this bug, both reproductive diapause and wing polymorphism are controlled by photoperiod and temperature (Hodek, 1968; HonČk, 1976; Socha, 2001). The above data indicate that the two wing morphs of P. apterus differ in their life history strategies
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