The morphology of the free-living females of Strepsiptera (Insecta)

The morphology of the adult free-living females of Mengenilla moldrzyki and Eoxenos laboulbenei (Strepsiptera, Mengenillidae) was documented with µCT-based 3D reconstructions and histological serial sections. External and internal features of both species are characterized by far-reaching specialization and structural simplification. The well-developed mandibles are moved by large muscles. Other mouthparts and their corresponding musculature are simplified or absent. The brain is partly shifted into the prothorax. It is followed by a single postcerebral ganglionic complex also containing the subesophageal ganglion and an unpaired abdominal nerve. Postcephalic sclerites are absent, except for the plate-like pronotum and small pleural sclerites. Wings and associated muscles are missing. The lumina of the large midgut and the anterior hindgut are disconnected. Seven bulb-shaped Malpighian tubules in M. moldrzyki is the highest number yet described for Strepsiptera. The 10-segmented abdomen lacks appendages. An unpaired birth organ opens ventrally on abdominal segment VII. The entire body cavity is filled with numerous freely floating eggs, 1386 in the specimen of M. moldrzyki and 721 in E. laboulbenei. Genital ducts, defined gonads, and genital glands are missing. The morphology of female Mengenillidae is discussed with respect to sexual dimorphism and structural features of the postembryonic stages. Phylogenetic implications are outlined.