Eur. J. Entomol. 108 (1): 17-24, 2011 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2011.002

Cream and albinotic - two new mutations affecting body colour in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae)

Radomír SOCHA
Biology Centre ASCR, Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 31, CZ-370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic,

Two new body-colour mutations, albinotic (alb) and cream (cr) are isolated and described for the flightless wing-polymorphic bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.). The body colour of alb mutants is white and that of cr mutants either a light cream or creamy yellow. Both the alb and cr mutations most probably inhibit the biosynthesis of the red pigment in epidermal cells that is responsible for the red-coloured body of wild-type bugs. Although sometimes the body colour of younger larval instars of cr mutants is a slightly darker creamy yellow and that of last larval instars of the alb mutants a slightly whiter greyish, there were no other important developmental changes in the body colour of alb and cr homozygous bugs associated with metamorphosis and post-metamorphic aging of adults. Standard genetic analyses showed that both these mutations are inherited as autosomal recessives and exhibit complete penetrance and uniform expression in both sexes. The fertility of the alb and cr homozygous females and fertilization success of the alb and cr homozygous males were substantially lower than those of wild-type bugs.

Keywords: Firebug, body-colour mutants, albinotic, cream, inheritance pattern, reproductive potential

Received: April 16, 2010; Revised: June 10, 2010; Accepted: June 10, 2010; Published: January 3, 2011  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
SOCHA, R. (2011). Cream and albinotic - two new mutations affecting body colour in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). EJE, 108(1), 17-24. doi: 10.14411/eje.2011.002
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. BEL Y., PORCAR M., SOCHA R., NEMEC V. & FERRE J. 1997: Analysis of pteridines in Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae) during development and in body-color mutants. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 34: 83-98 Go to original source...
    2. BERRIDGE M.J. 1965: The physiology of excretion in the cotton stainer Dysdercus fasciatus Signoret. J. Exp. Biol. 43: 511-521 Go to original source...
    3. CHAPMAN T. & DAVIES S.J. 2004: Functions and analysis of the seminal fluid proteins of male Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Peptides 25: 1477-1490 Go to original source...
    4. GILLOTT C. 2003: Male accessory gland secretions: Modulators of female reproductive physiology and behavior. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 48: 163-184. Go to original source...
    5. HALFENBERG R. & STEIN G. 1971: Uber das rote pigment der baumwollwanze Dysdercus intermedius Dist. Z. Naturf. 26b: 71 Go to original source...
    6. HENKING H. 1891: Untersuchungen ueber die ersten Entwicklungsvorgaenge in den Eiern der Insekten. Uber Spermatogenese und deren Beziehung zur Entwicklung bei Pyrrhocoris apterus L. Z. Wiss. Zool. 51: 685-736
    7. HOLLWEG G. 1972: Eine neue farbmuster-mutante "white" der roten baumwollwanze Dysdercus intermedius Dist. (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). Biol. Zbl. 91: 545-556
    8. HONEK A. 1976: The regulation of wing polymorphism in natural populations of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). Zool. Jb. Syst. 103: 547-570
    9. HONEK A. 1986: Inheritance of wing form in Pyrrhocoris apterus. J. Hered. 77: 465-467 Go to original source...
    10. KODRIK D., SOCHA R., SIMEK P., ZEMEK R. & GOLDSWORTHY G.J. 2000: A new member of the AKH/RPCH family that stimulates locomotory activity in the firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera). Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 30: 489-498 Go to original source...
    11. KODRIK D., SOCHA R. & ZEMEK R. 2002a: Topical application of Pya-AKH stimulates lipid mobilization and locomotion in the flightless bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera). Physiol. Entomol. 27: 15-20 Go to original source...
    12. KODRIK D., SIMEK P., LEPSA L. & SOCHA R. 2002b: Identification of the cockroach neuropeptide Pea-CAH-II as a second adipokinetic hormone in the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus. Peptides 23: 585-587 Go to original source...
    13. KODRIK D., SOCHA R. & SYROVA Z. 2003: Developmental and diel changes of adipokinetic hormone in CNS and haemolymph of the flightless wing-polymorphic bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.). J. Insect Physiol. 49: 53-61 Go to original source...
    14. KODRIK D., ALQUICER G. & SOCHA R. 2010: Methoprene modifies adipokinetic hormone characteristics in the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Eur. J. Entomol. 107: 33-39 Go to original source...
    15. KUBLI E. 2003: Sex-peptides: seminal peptides of the Drosophila male. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 60: 1689-1704 Go to original source...
    16. LAWRENCE P.A. 1970: Some new mutants of the large milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus Dall. Genet. Res. 15: 347-350 Go to original source...
    17. MELBER C. & SCHMIDT G.H. 1992: Identification of fluorescent compounds in certain species of Dysdercus and some of their mutants (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. (B) 101: 115-133 Go to original source...
    18. MELBER C. & SCHMIDT G.H. 1994: Quantitative variations in the pteridines during the post-embryonic development of Dysdercus species (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. (B) 108: 79-94 Go to original source...
    19. MERLINI L. & NASINI G. 1966: Insect pigments - IV. Pteridines and colour in some Hemiptera. J. Insect Physiol. 12: 123-127 Go to original source...
    20. POIANI A. 2006: Complexity of seminal fluid: a review. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 60: 289-310 Go to original source...
    21. PORCAR M., BEL Y., SOCHA R., NEMEC V. & FERRE J. 1996: Identification of pteridines in the firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae) by high-performance liquid chromatography. J. Chromatography (A) 724: 193-197 Go to original source...
    22. RIZKI T. & SLAMA K. 1968: An autosomal recessive gene in Pyrrhocoris. J. Hered. 59: 327-328 Go to original source...
    23. SCHOFL G. & TABORSKY M. 2002: Prolonged tandem formation in firebugs (Pyrrhocoris apterus) serves mate-guarding. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol . 52: 426-433 Go to original source...
    24. SHIMIZU T. & KAWASAKI K. 2001: Red-eye mutants in Orius bugs (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae). Appl. Entomol. Zool. 36: 185-187 Go to original source...
    25. SLAMA K. 1998: Autosomal recessive mutations affecting body colour in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Eur. J. Entomol. 95: 17-27
    26. SLAMA K. & SOCHA R. 1979: Delay of juvenoid action from embryogenesis until metamorphosis unfounded. Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov. 76: 289-299
    27. SMITH J.H. & FORREST H.S. 1976: Characterization of an isoxanthopterin binding protein from Oncopeltus fasciatus. J. Insect Physiol. 22: 187-194 Go to original source...
    28. SMITH R.L. & FORREST H.S. 1969: The pattern of pteridine accumulation in eggs of Pyrrhocoris apterus. J. Insect Physiol. 15: 953-957 Go to original source...
    29. SOCHA R. 1984: A genetic strain of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera) last instar larvae with imaginal-like pigmentation of the wing lobes. Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov . 81: 401-410
    30. SOCHA R. 1987a: Occurrence of precocious adults in the rl (17) strain of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov. 84: 10-14
    31. SOCHA R. 1987b: Unusual presence of pigmented granules in the Malpighian tubules in a mosaic mutant of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov. 84: 241-245
    32. SOCHA R. 1988a: Pale, an autosomal dominant mutation affecting body pigmentation and embryogenesis in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera). J. Hered. 19: 131-133 Go to original source...
    33. SOCHA R. 1988b: Apricot, a new dominant autosomal colour trait in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae). Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov. 85: 401-407
    34. SOCHA R. 1988c: Altered anteroposterior polarity of micropyle ring formation in eggs of Pyrrhocoris apterus L. (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Int. J. Insect Morphol. Embryol. 17: 135-143 Go to original source...
    35. SOCHA R. 1993: Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera) - an experimental model species: a review. Eur. J. Entomol. 90: 241-286
    36. SOCHA R. 1995: Selection for an unstable micropterism in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). J. Zool. 236: 407-415 Go to original source...
    37. SOCHA R. 1997: Genetics of yolk body-color mutation in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 90: 358-362 Go to original source...
    38. SOCHA R. 2004: Decreased mating propensity of macropterous morph in a flightless wing-polymorphic insect, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera). Eur. J. Entomol. 101: 539-545 Go to original source...
    39. SOCHA R. 2006: Endocrine control of wing morph-related difference in mating success and accessory gland size in male firebugs. Anim. Behav. 71: 1273-1281 Go to original source...
    40. SOCHA R. & HODKOVA M. 1994: Selection for non-diapause in the heteropteran Pyrrhocoris apterus. Hereditas 120: 81-85 Go to original source...
    41. SOCHA R. & HODKOVA M. 2006: Corpus allatum volumedependent differences in accesory gland maturation in longand short-winged males of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Eur. J. Entomol. 103: 27-32 Go to original source...
    42. SOCHA R. & MATOLIN S. 1985: Maternal effect mutation ae responsible for abnormal embryogenesis in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera). Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov. 82: 11-21
    43. SOCHA R. & NEMEC V. 1992: Pteridine analysis in five bodycolour mutations of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Acta Entomol. Bohemoslov. 89: 195-203
    44. SOCHA R. & NEMEC V. 1996: Colouration and pteridine pattern in a new, yolk body mutant of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Eur. J. Entomol. 93: 525-534
    45. SOCHA R. & SULA J. 1996: Differences in haemolymph proteins in relation to diapause and wing dimorphism in Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). J. Comp. Physiol. (B) 166: 382-376. Go to original source...
    46. SOCHA R. & SULA J. 2006: Flight muscles polymorphism in a flightless bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.): Developmental pattern, biochemical profile and endocrine control. J. Insect Physiol. 52: 231-239 Go to original source...
    47. SOCHA R. & SULA J. 2008: Regulation of the development of flight muscles in long-winged adults of the flightless bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Eur. J. Entomol. 105: 575-583 Go to original source...
    48. SOCHA R. & ZEMEK R. 2000: Wing movement behavior in longand short-winged morphs of flightless bug Pyrrhocoris apterus L. (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). J. Insect Behav. 13: 741-750 Go to original source...
    49. SOCHA R., NEDVED O. & ZRZAVY J. 1993: Unstable forewing polymorphism in a strain of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 86: 484-489 Go to original source...
    50. SOCHA R., SULA J. & ZEMEK R. 1997: Feeding, drinking and digestive enzyme activities in long- and short-day females of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera). Physiol. Entomol. 22: 161-169 Go to original source...
    51. SOCHA R., KODRIK D. & ZEMEK R. 1999: Adipokinetic hormone stimulates insect locomotor activity. Naturwissenschaften 88: 85-86 Go to original source...
    52. SOCHA R., SULA J. & KODRIK D. 2004: Wing morph-related differences in developmental pattern of accessory gland proteins in adult males of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) and their endocrine control. J. Insect Physiol. 50: 893-901 Go to original source...
    53. TRAM U. & WOLFNER M.F. 1999: Male seminal fluid proteins are essential for sperm storage in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 153: 837-844 Go to original source...
    54. WILSON T.G., DE MOOR S. & LEI J. 2003: Juvenile hormone involvement in Drosophila melanogaster male reproduction as suggested by the Methoprene-toleratnt27 mutant phenotype. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol . 33: 1167-1175 Go to original source...
    55. WOLFNER M.F. 2002: The gifts that keep on giving: physiological functions and evolutionary dynamics of male seminal proteins in Drosophila. Heredity 88: 85-93 Go to original source...
    56. ZDAREK J. 1970: Mating behaviour in the bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus L. (Heteroptera): ontogeny and its environmental control. Behaviour 37: 253-268 Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content