Abstract

CASELIN-CASTRO, Sandra et al. Morphological characterization of hemocytes from the female Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae). Agrociencia [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.3, pp.349-355. ISSN 2521-9766.

Four types of hemocytes from adult D. coccus females were determined and identified using phase contrast microscopy. In order of abundance we found granulocytes, plasmatocytes, prohemocytes and oenocytoids. Granulocytes (average 25.15±2.97 µm wide and 28.15±1.94 µm long), varied in size and shape, and exhibiting dense granulations of varying size in the cytoplasm; the nucleus is central and dense, generally spherical and occasionally lobulate. Plasmatocytes are polymorphic cells of extremely variable size (average 20.88±7.93 µm wide and 24.88±8.32 µm long), cytoplasm is not dense, granulations are less than in granulocytes, and vacuoles are abundant; nucleus is small and generally central. Prohemocytes were the smallest type (average diameter 6.84±0.05 µm), and also the sparsest; they are distinguished mainly by their size and spherical shape and by their large dense nucleus that occupies most of the cytoplasm. The oenocytoids are oval (12x15 µm), with no granulations in the cytoplasm, but a slightly eccentric crystal is present.

Keywords : Carminic acid; fine cochineal; phase contrast microscopy.

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