Double membrane-bounded intestinal microvilli in Oncopeltus fasciatus

A double plasma membrane (DPM) surrounding intestinal microvilli of the migratory milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, is described. Mutant and wild types of the phytophagous insect have been studied by conventional SEM and TEM procedures with the use of membrane-enhancing staining methods. Longitudinal and transverse sections revealed a DPM surrounding microvilli and continuing over the apical portions of the intestinal cell. The outer membrane of the DPM contributes to an intestinal lining or peritrophic membrane (PTM), which apparently accumulates in layers. SEM studies reveal a rugose intestinal surface and complete PTM in both starved and fed insects. Only rarely are exposed microvilli seen by SEM. SEM examinations also enable the observation of numerous blebs on the luminal side of the PTM apparently held in position by a neck-like attachment and apparently derived from the outer membrane of the DPM. Preliminary TEM studies of microvilli revealed unique microvesicle-like structures, lying just inside the inner membrane of the DPM, which may be of membrane origin based on their typical trilaminar appearance after en bloc staining with uranyl acetate. Highly ordered microfilaments were observed to occupy the most central aspect of the microvilli.