Anatomia e histologia das glândulas do ferrão das abelhas. III Hymenoptera: Megachilidae, Melittidae

Abstract

ANATOMIA E HISTOLOGIA DAS ,GLANDULAS DO FERRAO DAS ABELHAS. III HYMENOPTERA: MEGACHILIDAE E MELITTIDAE C) Rcccbido {ltI ra /,1Ib/i((/,'iio em 9/11/ 1970 EDY DE LELLO, De/Jar/amenia -de Morf ologia, Faculdade de Cii ncias 11hlieas e. Bioloqicas de Botucatu, sao Paulo Abstract MELLITIDAc - H cspcrapis (P.) car illata: the sti ng is atrophied, and the acid gland is a short glandula r tube with a small reservoi r. Dufour's gland is well developed, crescent shaped and lined by long rhombohedra l sec re to ry cells. Megachi lidae - 1I1egae/lile ( P.) tcrrcstri s : the gl an - dular tube an d the reservoi r of the acid gland, as well as th e sting, a re well developed. Duf our 's gland appear s as a flat •.U" shaped rib bon lined by prisma tic cells . T hese observations and similar f indings in other spe- 1 cies plus the information ava ilable on th e habits of bees lead to th e conclusion tha t Dufour 's gland is rela ted to th e reproductive sys tem, it s secretion being used to pro- tect the inner wa lls of the cells. The acid gland, re la ted to the st ing, is the sa le producer of th e poison.