File: <cerap1.ima.htm> [For educational purposes only] Terminology Glossary <Principal Natural
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Immature Stages
of Ceraphronidae
Immature stages of Ceraphronidae (= Calliceratidae)
were discussed in detail by Clausen (1940), as follows: Clausen (1940) noted the family
Ceraphronidae as Calliceratidae. The
egg and larval instars of several species of Lygocerus and Conostigmus
in the Cephronidae have been observed and described. In Lygocerus,
four larval instars are recorded for L.
cameroni, L. niger, and Lygocerus
sp. from Japan, with some evidence presented that an additional instar may
intervene between those described as the first and second. Kamal, however, found only three instars
in C. zaglouli and C.
timberlakei. The egg of L. cameroni
is elliptical in form, 0.25 mm. in length, and white in color, with a minute
protuberance at one end, and the chorion bears minute longitudinal
striations. That of Lygocerus sp. (Fig. 115A) is
similar, though the nipple‑like protuberance at the posterior end is
considerably narrowed. In L. niger, there is a similar protuberance at the anterior
pole, also. Please CLICK on
picture to view details: The first‑instar larvae of L. cameroni and Lygocerus
sp. (Fig. 115B) are similar in form and have relatively large, rounded
heads, followed by 12 body segments, with the greatest width occurring in the
anterior abdominal region. The
mandibles are minute and slender and are adapted for penetrating only a
delicate host skin. The integument
bears no sensory setae or cuticular spines.
There arc two pairs of spiracles, one situated on the intersegmental
membrane separating the fir#t two thoracic segments, or at the anterior
margin of the second, and another on the first abdominal segment. The larva of C. timberlakei
is distinguished by the size and form of the last abdominal segment, which
equals the four preceding segments in length and is deflected ventrad. No mention is made of the respiratory system.
The second‑instar larva of L. cameroni is distinguished from the first by the possession
of an additional body segment and four pairs of spiracles, these being
situated at the anterior margin of the second thoracic and on the third thoracic
and the first two abdominal segments. The third‑instar larva of L. cameroni is more robust than the second, being somewhat
globose, with the head markedly ventral in position. There are seven pairs of spiracles, the
first being situated at the posterior margin of the first thoracic segment
and the following ones on the third thoracic and first five abdominal
segments. Spiracular branches may
also be found in the second thoracic and the sixth abdominal segments. The third‑instar larva of Lygocerus sp. (Fig. 115C)
differs from the above in the more elongated form of the body and the
presence of transverse rows of conical protuberances dorsally and laterally
upon all body segments except the last.
The caudal segment is somewhat irregularly bilobed transversely. The mature larvae of L. cameroni, L.
niger, and Lygocerus sp. (Fig. 115D) are
similar in all principal characters.
The body is robust, broadest in the thoracic region, and curved or
straight according to the cell that it occupies. The head is relatively small, with simple mandibles. In all these species, the last abdominal
segment is transversely bilobed, the dorsal lobe being distinctly conical in
form. The thoracic and all abdominal
segments except the last bear conical papillae or tubercles on the dorsum and
sides, which are arranged in transverse rows in L. niger
and Lygocerus sp, and are
scattered in L. cameroni. In the latter species, they occur also
upon the conical process of the last abdominal segment. There are seven pairs of spiracles,
situated at the posterior margin of the first thoracic segment and on the
third thoracic and first five abdominal segments. In Lygocerus
sp., these are markedly dorsal in position, and the pair on the third
thoracic segment is much the largest. The mature larva of Conostigmus, which is stated by
Kamal to be the third instar, lacks the principal characters that readily
distinguish Lygocerus. The conical integumentary papillae and
the conical process on the last abdominal segment are lacking. The head is exceptionally large and
hemispherical, and the last abdominal segment is longer than those preceding
it and smoothly rounded. In C. zaglouli, each abdominal segment, except the last, bears a
sclerotized ring, which is much heavier ventrally than on the dorsum. There are eight pairs of large spiracles,
whereas C. timberlakei
has only six, situated on the first thoracic and the first five abdominal
segments. References: Please
refer to <biology.ref.htm>,
[Additional
references may be found at: MELVYL Library ] |