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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #311927
Title: Ultrastructure of wax-producing structures on the integument of the melaleuca psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and honeydew excretion behavior in males and females

Author
item AMMAR, EL-DESOUKY - University Of Florida
item Hentz, Matthew
item Hall, David
item Shatters, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: PLOS ONE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2015
Publication Date: 3/20/2015
Citation: Ammar, E., Hentz, M.G., Hall, D.G., Shatters, R.G. 2015. Ultrastructure of wax-producing structures on the integument of the melaleuca psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and honeydew excretion behavior in males and females. PLoS One. doi: 10.1371/PO.2015-0121354.

Interpretive Summary: The melaleuca psyllid was introduced to Florida as a biological control agent against Melaleuca, an invasive evergreen tree that has invaded large areas of Florida Everglades. Melaleuca psyllid nymphs are normally covered by white waxy secretions. Nymphs and adults were examined by scanning electron microscopy to study their wax producing structure. Additionally, we studied the honeydew excretion behavior in adults and found it is different in males and females, similarly to the the Asian citrus psyllid. The possible role(s) of waxy secretions by nymphs and females of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae in reducing contamination of their colonies with honeydew, among other possibilities, are discussed.

Technical Abstract: The melaleuca psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), was introduced to Florida as a biological control agent against Melaleuca quinquenervia, an invasive evergreen tree that has invaded large areas of Florida Everglades. Colonies of B. melaleucae nymphs are normally covered by white waxy secretions, and nymphs of various instars produce long bundles of white waxy filaments extending laterally and posteriorly from their abdomen. Scanning electron microscopy of ‘naturally waxed’ and ‘dewaxed’ nymphs (cleaned from wax) revealed two types of wax pore plates located dorsally and laterally on the integument of posterior abdominal segments starting with the 4th segment. Type-1 wax pore plates, with raised rim, peripheral groove, slits and pits, produce long ribbons and filaments of waxy secretions that are wound together forming long wax bundles, whereas type-2 wax pore plates, with slits only, produce shorter wax curls. Additionally, in both nymphs and adult females, the circumanal ring contained ornate rows of wax pores that produce wax filaments covering their honeydew excretions. Video recordings with stereomicroscopy showed that adult females produce whitish honeydew balls, powerfully propelled away from their body, probably to get these sticky excretions away from their eggs and newly hatched nymphs. Adult males, however, produce clear droplets of honeydew immediately behind them simply by bending the posterior end of the abdomen downward. The possible role(s) of waxy secretions by nymphs and females of B. melaleucae in reducing contamination of their colonies with honeydew, among other possibilities, are discussed.