Fine structure of the mouthparts in the ambrosia beetle platypus koryoensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Platypodinae)

Abstract

Recently, Platypus koryoensis has been reported as a major pest of oak trees in Korea which can introduce the pathogenic fungus (Raffaelea sp.) by making galleries into the heartwood of the tree. As the beetle has developed its effective drilling mouthpart enough to make tunnels, we have analyzed the fine structural aspects of the mouthpart using the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to reveal its mechano‐dynamic characteristics. The mouthparts of this ambrosia beetle which consist of a labrum, a pair of mandibles, a pair of maxillae and the labium exhibit typical morphology of mycophagous coleopteran beetles and have those characteristics of chewing mouthparts that can excavate galleries in the hardwood. Both of maxillary and labial palpi have the functions of direct the food to the mouth and hold it while the mandibles chew the food. The distal ends of these palpi are flattened and have shovel‐like setae. Females have larger maxillary palpi and a larger gular region than males in general.