Morphology and ultrastructure of salivary glands of male treehopper Tricentrus brunneus Funkhouser (Hemiptera: Membracoidea)

Abstract

The salivary glands of male treehopper Tricentrus brunneus Funkhouser comprise a pair of acinous principal glands each with an anterior lobe and a posterior lobe; a pair of elbow-shaped accessory glands. Every accessory gland connects with the principal gland via a thin accessory salivary duct. The anterior lobe contains three types of acini (I, II and III), whereas the posterior lobe possesses only one type of acinus (IV). Two efferent salivary ducts fuse into a common salivary duct. Different acinis cells are filled with secretory granules that are distinct in size, number, shape and electron-density, indicating a maturation process before secreted. Infoldings in different acini suggest dilution of substances before being secreted. The presence of microvilli in acinus IV and the accessory gland duct possibly indicates the undergoing maturation of secretions. Electron-dense fine granules existed in the accessory gland cells, possibly related to virus transmission.