Antennal and Cephalic organelles in the social wasp Paravespula germanica (Hymenoptera, Vespinae): Form and possible function

This paper deals with hairs and organelles present on the head and antennae of the German wasp, Paravespula germanica, and their possible role in sensing the physical and chemical ambience, as well as in intercommunicating both while in flight outside or in the nest. Via scanning electron microscope...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microscopy research and technique 2006-01, Vol.69 (1), p.46-52
Main Authors: Agmon, Ifaat, Plotkin, Marian, Ermakov, Natalya Y., Barkay, Zahava, Ishay, Jacob S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AFM and SEM procedures
Animals
antennal organelles
communication
epicuticular structures
Extremities
Hair - ultrastructure
Head
Hymenoptera
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Paravespula germanica
Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate - ultrastructure
Sense Organs - ultrastructure
social wasps
Vespidae
Vespinae
Wasps - ultrastructure
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Summary:This paper deals with hairs and organelles present on the head and antennae of the German wasp, Paravespula germanica, and their possible role in sensing the physical and chemical ambience, as well as in intercommunicating both while in flight outside or in the nest. Via scanning electron microscope photography, we detected on the frons plate of the wasp's head, hairs that were about 300 μm long and comprised the longest hairs on the body of the wasps. Additionally, the two antennae bore along their entire length photoreceptors, placoids, campaniforms, trichoids, and agmons. These organelles are located at high but variable density along the antennal segments. The paper provides the dimensions of each of the mentioned organelles, and discusses the possible functions of the organelles as well as of the hairs on the frons. Photographs taken via atomic force microscope reveal that the epicuticle of the antenna is of two typical shapes; one, bearing both longitudinal stripes as well as transverse bands that are about 1 μm in width, and a second granulated form. Conceivably, the wasp uses the various organelles mentioned to communicate with its mates that are some distance away, somewhat like the use of radar by humans. Microsc. Res. Tech. 69:46–52, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:1059-910X
1097-0029
DOI:10.1002/jemt.20271