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Ultrastructure of the striated ventromental plates and associated structures of larval Chironominae (Diptera: Chironomidae) and their rôle in silk‐spinning
Author(s) -
Webb C. J.,
Wilson R. S.,
Mcgill J. D.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1981.tb04579.x
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , biology , anatomy , larva , morphology (biology) , silk , zoology , composite material , materials science , botany
The ultrastructure of striated ventromental plates and their relationship to other parts of the larval head capsule have been studied in two Chironominae species, Microtendipes pedellus (Degeer) and Chironomus riparius Meigen, by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, including observation of thin sections. In both species the inner surface of the striated plates has a complex microarchitecture and is closely associated with a cuticular structure termed the maxillary plate. It is suggested that the striated and associated maxillary plates play an important rr̂le in the process by which larvae of the Chironominae spin silk.