Las proboscis de algunos Hemípteros

Abstract

Descriptions and photographs are presented of the parts of the proboscis of three Hemiptera. Lethocerus americanus, Leidy, Family, Belostomatidae; Apiomerus crassipes Fabr., Family Reduviidae, Subfamily Apiomerinae; and Triatoma maculata Laporte, Family Reduviidae, Subfamily Triatominae. These three Hemitera have in their proboscis bristlebundles formed of two mandibles and two maxillae moved by protractor and retractor muscles in the hypopharynge. Lethocerus has a chitinous canal for protection of the mandibles and maxillae. The two mandibles in these three species have sharp points with teeth for piercing, scratching and fixing them in the wound. The maxillae of Lethocerus have large hairs for sweeping the material from the wound. The maxillae of Triatoma and Apiomerus have no hairs on them because these insects only suck blood and Apiomerus feed also on cytoplasm of plants. Between the two maxillae There is a tube for injecting saliva into the victims. Inside some maxillae there are also tubes for special injections. Taste organs were found on the mouth of the proboscis of Lethocerus and Triatoma. Lethocerus and Apiomerus are not exclusively predators because of their occasionally feeding on plants.