MALE STERNAL PHEROMONE GLANDS IN ACANTHOSOMATID SHIELD BUGS FROM BRITAIN

Pheromone glands are present in the abdominal sternites of the pregenital region in the male adults in all British species of Acanthosomatidae. Secretory units are most numerous in the hawthorn bug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale and maternal bug Elasmucha grisea, next most numerous in the birch bug Elasmostethus interstinctus, and least numerous in the juniper bug Cyphostethus tristriatus. The largest dorsal abdominal scent glands were found in Cyphostetheus. Ordinary dermal glands are also present. They are most numerous along the lateral margins of the abdomen. It is possible that Pendergrast's organ is the source of a female-produced pheromone. Secretory units were numerous in this organ in C. tristriatus female adults. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.