Morphological Characteristics of Mating in Tarnished Plant Bug (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Abstract

Tarnished plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) were dissected and photographed to show the morphological characteristics of mated and unmated individuals. The presence of what appears to be a spermatophore, and/or the enlargement of the genital pouch and the seminal depository through infusion of fluids from the male was evidence of females having mated. Loss of relative size and white material from the accessory glands of males held from females for 7 d prior to mating was evidence of males having mated. Decreased size of seminal vesicles resulting from insemination was not seen to be an indicator of males having mated. The photographs provide a simple method for determining mating, and when used in conjunction with drawings of tarnished plant bug morphology provided by early authors, may facilitate the understanding of other aspects of tarnished plant bug reproductive morphology.