Comparative Morphogenesis of Ovipositor Sensilla Between the Leptocybe invasa and Ophelimus maskelli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Its Relationship to Their Vital Capacity

Abstract

The ovipositor is heavily populated with insect sensory structures (sensilla). Sensilla, therefore, play a significant role in oviposition, stinging, and the process of choosing a host. Based on the types, numbers, and distributions of sensory organs, one can deduce how they function. These biological parameters have been tested. In this study, the external sensilla on the ovipositor of Leptocype invasa (Fisher and La Salle) and Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) were described (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae). In Egypt, these two inducer bug species primarily affected Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Using electron scanning microscopy, the sensilla were categorized based on their size, distribution, and shape; some may even have sense organs visible. At the level of the ovipositor, it was possible to distinguish eight different types of sensilla on the L. invasa and O. maskelli species' ovipositors. With 50 sensilla along the ovipositor on L. invasa against more than 40 sensilla on O. maskelli in the current study, L. invasa had a higher overall sensilla count than O. maskelli. While results tend to suggest that L. invasa is more specialized for laying eggs than O. maskelli, it may be because O. maskelli lays eggs all over the leaf blade while L. invasa species lay eggs on the middle race, necessitating greater differentiation in the puncture area. The qualitative and numerical difference for the type of sensilla in both species on ovipositor in favour of L. invasa was what explained the results obtained from the tested biological parameters given. Despite the fact that O. maskelli and L. invasa have different body sizes in favour of L. invasa, L. invasa has a larger reproductive tract with a wider diversity of sensilla types.