Between extreme simplification and ideal optimization: antennal sensilla morphology of miniaturized Megaphragma wasps (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract

One of the major trends in the evolution of parasitoid wasps is miniaturization, which has produced the smallest known insects. Megaphragma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are smaller than some unicellular organisms, with an adult body length of the smallest only 170 µm. Their parasitoid lifestyle depends on retention of a high level of sensory reception comparable to that in parasitoid wasps that may have antennae hundreds of times larger. Antennal sensilla of males and females of Megaphragma amalphitanum and M. caribea and females of the parthenogenetic M. mymaripenne are described, including sensillum size, external morphology, and distribution. Eight different morphological types of sensilla were discovered, two of them appearing exclusively on female antennae. Two of the types, sensilla styloconica and aporous placoid sensilla, have not been described previously. Regression analyses were performed to detect and evaluate possible miniaturization trends by comparing available data for species of larger parasitoid wasps. The number of antennal sensilla was found to decrease with the body size; M. amalphitanum males have only 39 sensilla per antenna. The number of antennal sensilla types and sizes of the sensilla, however, show little to no correlation with the body size. Our findings on the effects of miniaturization on the antennal sensilla of Megaphragma provide material for discussion on the limits to the reduction of insect antenna.