Fine Structure of the Scales of Tychius Germar, 1817 (Coleoptera: Curculioninae) Species

Abstract

The scales of four species of Tyhius genus were studied with light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The similarities and differences among the species were discussed. The shape and color of scales of species seem similar under a light microscope, but under a scanning electron microscope, they have a lot of differences. The surface morphology of scales in T. squamulatus has projections that are like spines and are rather different from the other species. In other species (T. aureolus, T. breviusculus, T medicaginis), the surface of scales have a longitudinal process.