Species – Specific Variation in the Structure of Male Genitalia of Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera)
Author: Neethu Roy D.*, Uma Maheswari T., Sridevi G. and Raghavender B.
Journal Name:
Download PDF
Abstract
Present observations made on morphology of male genitalia of ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) belonging to 12 different species (Brumoides suturalis, Chilocorus nigrita, Anegleis cardoni, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella transversalis, Harmonia octamaculata, Hippodamia variegata, Illies cincta, Micraspis discolor, Propylea dissecta, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata and Scymnus nubilus) from four subfamilies (Coccinellinae, Chilocorinae, Scymninae and Epilachninae) under stereozoom binocular microscope revealed that the variation in structure and size of genitalia which are species specific along with the morphometrics. Shape of the siphonal capsule, basal or median lobe being symmetrical or asymmetrical, shape of the parameres, length of the parameres in comparison to median lobe and shape of the median lobe which showed variation were recognized as important taxonomic signs of the male genitalia. The detailed diagnostic description of male genitalia were provided a
Keywords
Ladybird beetles, Coccinellidae, Male genitalia, Taxonomy, PJTSAU.