Ruzzier Enrico, Kadej Marcin, Di Giulio Andrea, Battisti Andrea
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and the Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, I-35020 Padova, Italy.
Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Wrocław, POL-51148 Wrocław, Poland.
Insects. 2021 May 12;12(5):436. doi: 10.3390/insects12050436.
Hastisetae are modified setae typical of Dermestidae Megatominae and are a primary defensive tool of both larvae and pupae against invertebrates and possibly vertebrates. Given their unique morphological features, hastisetae have recently been suggested as an additional character useful for larvae identification and possible source of information to clarify the systematics of Megatominae. Hastisetae are also recognized as important contaminants of stored products, work and living environment; in particular, the exposure to hastisetae seems to cause allergic reactions and the insurgence of skin rashes, asthma, conjunctivitis, and digestive system inflammation in humans. Starting from these basic concepts, the present paper provides a detailed description of the hastisetae of some Megatominae. Fine morphology of external and internal microstructures of the hastisetae is shown and compared at the genus level. The insertion on integument, the pedicel, the shaft, and the apical head are illustrated in detail, and the first observations of active defensive behavior based on hastisetae are recorded and presented. Possible implications to the systematics of skin beetles are proposed based on the results of the study.
刺刚毛是皮蠹科巨皮蠹亚科特有的变形刚毛，是幼虫和蛹抵御无脊椎动物甚至可能是脊椎动物的主要防御工具。鉴于其独特的形态特征，刺刚毛最近被认为是有助于幼虫鉴定的一个额外特征，也是阐明巨皮蠹亚科系统分类的一个可能信息来源。刺刚毛也被认为是储存产品、工作和生活环境的重要污染物；特别是，接触刺刚毛似乎会引发过敏反应，并导致人类出现皮疹、哮喘、结膜炎和消化系统炎症。基于这些基本概念，本文对一些巨皮蠹亚科的刺刚毛进行了详细描述。展示并在属级水平上比较了刺刚毛外部和内部微观结构的精细形态。详细说明了刺刚毛在体表的着生情况、柄节、杆部和顶端头部，并记录和呈现了基于刺刚毛的主动防御行为的首次观察结果。基于研究结果，提出了对皮蠹甲虫系统分类的可能影响。
