Fine structure of the salivary glands of Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouche) (Thysanoptera : Thripidae)

Salivary glands of Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis consist of two parts: the tu bular and the ovoidal glands. The tubular glands have microvillate cells, w hich are rich in mitochondria, associated with sinuous plasma membrane and produce a watery secretion. The ovoid glands have cells that are rich in ro ugh endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes and produce viscous secretion s of proteinaceous material. It is hypothesized that the viscous secretion contains enzymes that could be activated in appropriate ionic conditions pr ovided by the watery secretion. This mechanism could be realized when the t wo products are aspirated by the cibarial pump, mixing and flowing into the mouthcone before being injected into the plant cells. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.