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Functional Ultrastructure of Hymenopteran Stingers: Devastating Spear or Delicate Syringe

Part of: Micrographia Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2022

Jan Černý ,
František Weyda ,
Michal Perlík  and
Dalibor Kodrík Open the ORCID record for Dalibor Kodrík [Opens in a new window]
Jan Černý
Affiliation:
Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
František Weyda
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Michal Perlík
Affiliation:
Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Dalibor Kodrík*
Affiliation:
Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, CAS, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
*
*Corresponding author: Dalibor Kodrík, E-mail: kodrik@entu.cas.cz
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Abstract

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a micro-serrated edge on the honey bee Apis mellifera stinger tip serves as a tool for more intensive crushing of cell membranes in the victim's tissues. This could have mechanical consequences as well as initiate metabolic pathways linked to cell membrane breakdown (e.g., production of biogenic amines). Accordingly, we found that hymenopteran species that use their stingers as an offensive or defensive weapon to do as much damage to the victim's body as possible had this cuticular microstructure. In parasitic hymenopterans, on the other hand, this structure was missing, as stingers are solely used to delicately transport venom to the victim's body in order to do little mechanical harm. We also demonstrated that the stinger lancets of the honey bee A. mellifera are living organs with sensilla innervated by sensory neurons and containing other essential tissues, rather than mere cuticular structures.

Keywords

beeHymenopteranerveSEMsensillastinger microstructureTEMultrastructure
Type
Micrographia
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 28 , Issue 5 , October 2022 , pp. 1808 - 1818
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Microscopy Society of America

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