File: <proct1.ima.htm> [For educational purposes only] Terminology Glossary <Principal Natural
Enemy Groups > <Citations> |
Immature
Stages of Proctotrupidae
Immature stages of Proctotrupidae (= Serphidae) were discussed in
detail by Clausen (1940), as follows: The information on the egg and the larval instars of the
Proctotrupidae (noted as Serphidae by Clausen 1940) is incomplete. The egg of the species attacking Scymnus larvae in Japan (Fig.
120A) is somewhat cylindrical, but s1ightly wider at the anterior end; the
poles are smoothly rounded; and it measures
0.2 mm. in length and 0.06 mm. in width. The ovarian egg of Paracodrus
observed by Zolk is somewhat elongated and measures 0.14 to 0.16 mm. in
length. Please
CLICK on
picture to view details: The first‑instar larva from Scymnus (Fig. 120B) is polypodeiform, and the large paired
ventral processes occur on the first thoracic and the first four abdominal
segments. The head is large and
heavily sclerotized, bears heavy falcate mandibles, and is thus quite similar
to that of mandibulate‑type larvae.
The body is widest at the juncture of the thorax and abdomen and
narrows appreciably to the seventh segment, following which is the apparently
four‑segmented tail, which is directed dorsad almost at right angles to
the body axis. The integument bears
no spines or setae and is much more delicate on the tail than on the
remainder of the body. There is no
evidence of a tracheal system or spiracles. The larva of Phaenoserphus
viator described by Eastham
is similar to the above in the essential characters, except that 10 body
segments are recognizable, of which the last is much the longest and in older
specimens is seen to comprise 4 segments, making a total of 13. The fleshy-paired ventral processes occur
on the second and third thoracic and the first six abdominal segments and
are considered to be vestigial organs.
The distal portion of the tail bears vertical fin‑like
projections both dorsally and ventrally. The following instars are of normal form, lacking the large head,
the paired appendages, and the tail.
The third instar of P.
viator may be recognized by
the presence of 8 pairs of nonfunctional spiracles, whereas the fourth instar
has 10 pairs, situated on the second and third thoracic and the first eight
abdominal segments. Both of these
instars have the labrum projecting over the mouth in the form of a rounded
beak. There are no integumentary
spines or setae. The mature larva of the Japanese species (Fig. I20C) is slender
and cylindrical, with i3 body segments, of which the last is small and tapers
to a point. The tracheal system has
the same number and arrangement of spiracles as occurs in P. viator. The pupae of all species that have been studied have the
posterior portion of the abdomen strongly curved ventrally. References: Please refer to
<biology.ref.htm>,
[Additional
references may be found at: MELVYL Library ] |