A Text-book of Entomology: Including the Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology and Metamorphoses of Insects for Use in Agricultural and Technical Schools and Colleges as Well as by the Working EntomologistPackard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring)
Science
A Text-book of Entomology: Including the Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology and Metamorphoses of Insects for Use in Agricultural and Technical Schools and Colleges as Well as by the Working Entomologist
Packard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring)
Insects
Whether the abdominal legs or so-called false or prop-legs of
lepidopterous larvæ are genuine legs, homologous with those of the
thorax and with the cephalic appendages, or whether they are secondary
adaptive structures, is a matter still under discussion. That, however,
they are true legs is shown by the embryology of the Lepidoptera, where
there is a pair to each abdominal segment. It may also be asked whether
the anal legs of lepidopterous larvæ are not the homologues of the
2–jointed anal appendages of caddis-worms.
[Illustration:
FIG. 201.—_Eriocephala calthella_, ♂, side view: _t_, palpiform
suranal plate; _cl_, claspers; _s_, inferior claspers; _mxp_,
maxillary palpi; _cx_. coxa; _tr_, trochanter; _sc_, scutum; _sc′_,
scutellum.
]
In Lepidoptera, notably the male of the very generalized _Eriocephala
calthella_ (Fig. 201), besides the broad unjointed claspers, which are
curved upward and provided with a brush of stiff hooked setæ (this upper
pair being perhaps modified cercopods), there is an accessory lower
slenderer pair, while the suranal plate (_t_) is palpiform or clavate
and also adapted to aid in the action of the claspers. The examination
of the cercopods and rhabdopods in the Trichoptera and in a generalized
lepidopterous form like this enables one to understand the morphology of
the genital armature, since it consists, besides the suranal plate,
which is often deeply forked (in Sphingidæ, Smith), of a pair of
modified hook-like cercopoda, and in some cases (Eriocephala) of an
additional pair of claspers which may be the homologues of the ephemerid
rhabdopods. A pair of hooks, often strong and claw-like (_harpes_), are
situated, one near the base on the inside of each clasper; they are
especially developed in the Noctuidæ (Smith), and appear to be present
in certain Trichoptera, but this remains to be proved. This complicated
apparatus of claspers and hooks is utilized by those insects which pair
while on the wing, and is wanting in such forms as Coleoptera and
Hemiptera. Besides the forceps of Panorpa, there are two pairs of
slender filiform appendages which need farther examination. In the
Diptera, especially Tipulidæ, there is a pair of 2–jointed appendages or
forceps, as in Limnophila (Osten Sacken). The male genital armature of
Diptera appears to be on the same general plan as in Lepidoptera, but
more complicated.
[Illustration:
FIG. 202.—Male organs of generation of Athalia.—After Newport.
]
Notice should also be taken of the paired uncinate hooks which are
modifications of the penis-sheath of the male of cockroaches
(Phyllodromia), which Haase states appear to originate on the tenth
ventral plate, and which probably “serve to open and dilate the vagina
of the female, especially as a perforated penis, which is highly
developed in Machilis, seems to be wanting in the Blattidæ.” (Haase.)
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