Fat body morphology of Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera, Coccinelidae) in function of two alimentary sources

Abstract

This work investigated the influence of two alimentary sources: aphids and mites, in the morphology of the fat body of E. connexa. Results showed that fat body cells of individuals fed with aphids presented areas more than three folds higher (511 ± 98, 7 μm2) than those of beetles fed with mites (162 ± 34, 9 μm2). Histochemical tests showed that nutrient amount stored in fat body was higher in lady-beetles fed on aphids.