Sexual dimorphism in Diabrotica speciosa and Diabrotica viridula

What is it about?

Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) and Diabrotica viridula F.(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are the two most abundant species of the genus in South America, and belong to the fucata and virgifera groups, respectively. Here, we characterize the dimorphism of the setae present on the basitarsi of males and females of these species. Dimorphism was confirmed in both species, and it was related to the presence of adhesive setae exclusively in males, which possess these structures on the basal tarsomeres of the pro- and mesothoracic legs.

Featured Image