Li Xinyu, Tian Li, Li Hu, Cai Wanzhi
Department of Entomology, MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Biology (Basel). 2021 Nov 10;10(11):1161. doi: 10.3390/biology10111161.
The family Pentatomidae (stink bugs) is one of the largest groups in Heteroptera, containing many important pests and natural enemies. They exhibit highly diversified feeding habits and related structural modifications, but the key morphological characteristics associated with feeding habit radiation remain unclear. In the current study, we address this question by analyzing morphological variations of feeding related organs. We compare the ultrastructures of antennae and mouthparts across the chosen 17 species in Pentatomidae, representing both plant feeders and predators from four subfamilies. A strong association between ultrastructural adaptation and feeding habit transition has been revealed. The long, sharp, and hook-like mandibular teeth and maxillary barbs are exclusively present in predatory Pentatomidae, suggesting their tight association with the shift of feeding habit from phytophagy to predation. Significant differences between phytophagous and predatory species are also found in antennal and labial sensilla types and arrangements, implying their important function in food selection. Our data identify a series of key morphological structures associated with feeding habit variations among stink bugs, which will facilitate future studies on adaptive evolution of feeding habits, utilization, and population control of economic species in Pentatomidae as well as in other heteropteran lineages.
蝽科（椿象）是半翅目中最大的类群之一，包含许多重要害虫和天敌。它们表现出高度多样化的取食习性及相关的结构变化，但与取食习性辐射相关的关键形态特征仍不清楚。在本研究中，我们通过分析取食相关器官的形态变化来解决这个问题。我们比较了蝽科中选定的17个物种的触角和口器的超微结构，这些物种代表了来自四个亚科的植食性和捕食性种类。已揭示出超微结构适应与取食习性转变之间存在紧密关联。长而尖锐且呈钩状的上颚齿和下颚倒刺仅存在于捕食性蝽科昆虫中，表明它们与取食习性从植食性向捕食性的转变密切相关。在触角和唇感器的类型及排列方面，植食性和捕食性物种之间也存在显著差异，这意味着它们在食物选择中具有重要作用。我们的数据确定了一系列与蝽象取食习性变化相关的关键形态结构，这将有助于未来对蝽科以及其他半翅目类群中经济物种的取食习性适应性进化、利用和种群控制的研究。
