Ultrastructural analysis of the internal sac in several species of the weevil tribe Phyllobiini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae)

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the internal sac was comparatively studied in five species of the genus Phyllobius Germar, 1824, two species of the genus Oedecnemidius Daniel, 1903 and one species of the genus Parascythropus Desbrochers, 1875, all belonging to the weevil tribe Phyllobiini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae). Similarities and differences between the species investigated are discussed. The total shape of internal sac is similar, but the teeth that are located in the ventral part are different in all the species. The details of the internal sac under the scanning electron microscope are important for taxonomy and could be used for separating similar species.