Endosymbiosis in a leafhopper, Helochara communis Fitch (Cicadellidae: Homoptera): symbiote translocation and auxiliary cells in the mycetome

Abstract

At times, symbiote populations in mycetomes of Helochara communis are apparently increased by translocation of symbiotes from adjacent mycetocytes. These symbiotes appear to reproduce in mycetomes and become phagocytosed by 'auxiliary' cells (probably hemocytes) that invade mycetomes at zones of disruption supposedly resulting from reproduction of the translocated symbiotes. Some phagocytosed symbiotes degenerate in large vacuoles; others become lodged in smaller vacuoles that supply a third membrane. The hemocytes fuse and form additional mycetomal syncytia.