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Particulate surface waxes of whiteflies: morphology, composition and waxing behaviour
Author(s) -
BYRNE DAVID N.,
HADLEY NEIL F.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1988.tb00478.x
Subject(s) - trialeurodes , wax , greenhouse whitefly , biology , whitefly , morphology (biology) , botany , composition (language) , homoptera , pest analysis , zoology , biochemistry , linguistics , philosophy
The morphology and lipid composition of wax particles and their application to the body surface of adults were examined in the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood). The wax particles are extruded from plates found on the abdomen of both species. Their form is determined by the templates (modified microtrichia) from which they are extruded. The emerging ribbons are broken off by rakes on the hind tibiae and applied to the rest of the body in a similar manner for both species. Triacylglycerols comprise 65–75% of the lipid in these particles, with hydrocarbons accounting for 3–7% of the total in B. tabaci and only 0.6‐1% in T.vaporariorum. Although distinct compositional differences exist between the species, the hydrocarbons in both are fully saturated and contain n ‐alkanes and branched molecules having eighteen to forty carbon atoms. Possible roles of these wax particles in reducing water flux, protecting against harmful radiation, and providing a barrier to microorganisms are discussed.