Double cuticle barrier in two global pests, the whiteflyTrialeurodes vaporariorumand the bedbugCimex lectularius.
The integument protects the organism against penetration of xenobiotics and water that would potentially interfere with homeostasis. In insects that play key roles in a variety of agricultural and ecological habitats, this inward barrier has barely been investigated. In order to advance knowledge in this field, we studied integumental barrier (cuticle) permeability in the two global pestsTrialeurodes vaporariorum(greenhouse whitefly) andCimex lectularius(bedbug), applying a simple dye-penetration assay. In agreement with our recent findings inDrosophila melanogaster, we show that the surface of these insects is regionalised. We also show that, in contrast to the single barrier inD. melanogaster, two barriers with distinct temperature-sensitive and lipid-based physico-chemical material properties act in parallel to protect these insects against penetration of hydrophilic molecules. These findings imply the existence of unexplored mechanisms by which the cuticle acts as a protective coat against the penetration of water and xenobiotics, including pollutants and insecticides.
Genetik der Tiere, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Yiwen
Y
Wang
Genetik der Tiere, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Rocío Gallego
RG
Carballo
Angewandte Zoologie, TU Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, 01069 Dresden, Germany bernard.moussian@uni-tuebingen.de.|iBV, Université Nice, Parc Valrose, Nice 06000, France.
Bernard
0000-0002-2854-9500
B
Moussian
D000818:Animals; D001511:Bedbugs / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001978:Bromphenol Blue / Q000378:metabolism; D002725:Chloroform / Q000378:metabolism; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS) / Q000378:metabolism; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000378:metabolism
D008055:Lipids; D015262:Xenobiotics; D014867:Water; D001978:Bromphenol Blue; D002725:Chloroform; D008751:Methylene Blue; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC); Water; Xenobiotics