An eye ultrastructure investigation of a plant pest Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Figures & data

Figure 1 A confocal image of the eye (stained with phalloidin conjugated with Alexa 488) of Acyrthosiphon pisum depicting the loose arrangement of facets/ommatidia in the eye.

Figure 2 Light micrograph of longitudinally sectioned (LS) light-adapted eye of Acyrthosiphon pisum fixed during the daytime.

Notes: Each ommatidium depicts the presence of cornea (C) as a convex outward projection beneath which is a crystalline cone (CC) followed by rhabdom (Rh). At the level of cone the primary pigment cells (PPC) are present and at the level of rhabdom secondary pigment cells (SPC) are found. Note the difference in size between the primary and secondary pigment granules.

Figure 3 Transmission electron micrograph of sections through the dioptric apparatus of the eye of Acyrthosiphon pisum.

Notes: Oblique section showing part of the cornea (C) and cone (CC). Nuclei (N) of the cone cells are observed below the cornea. Layering of the cornea is more prominent at the proximal part, and multiple layerings are marked with white bracket.

Figure 4 Transmission electron micrograph of sections through the cone of the eye of Acyrthosiphon Pisum.

Notes: (A) Transverse section through the eye showing cornea (C), unequal contribution of cone cells (CC) surrounded by the nuclei of the primary pigment cells (PPC). (B) Proximal region of the cone is surrounded by primary and secondary pigment cells with their granules. (B′) Higher magnification of the proximal region of the cone.

Figure 5 Transmission electron micrograph of the longitudinal section through cornea (C) and cone (CC).

Notes: Distally, the cone cells are in contact with the C and proximally with the rhabdom (Rh). One of the two primary pigment cells (PPC) with its numerous microtubules is seen next to the cone cell. Primary pigment cells are characterized by their irregular pigment granules. Note the difference in the arrangement of the pigment granules of primary (PPC maker as four star) and secondary pigment cells (SPC marked as seven star).

Figure 6 Transmission electron micrograph of the transverse section through the distal rhabdom depicting nuclei (N) of the retinular cells and cone tract (pointed by stars).

Figure 7 The nuclei of the proximal retinular cells (marked with arrow) and the triangular arrangement of rhabdomere of retinula cell.