Cuticular Pegs near Wing Bases in Aphids of the Subfamily Eriosomatinae Kirkaldy, 1905 s. str. (Insecta, Aphididae)

Aphids have two general types of morphs: alate and apterous. While apterous morphs exploit existing local resources, the alate morphs disperse in search of proper host plant species for settlement and reproduction. Acquiring information on the position of the body and wings requires a set of various sensory organs, which provide visual, olfactory, and proprioceptive information. The latter ones are provided through various sensilla, also located on the wings. Here, we present data on the cuticular pegs located on the membranous part of the tegula in alate aphids of the subfamily Eriosomatinae. These cuticular pegs, located on the distal part of the tegula, seem to have a sensory function, but their functional mode is unknown. It is hypothesized that they play either a mechanical function during movement of the wing, or are a part of the chordotonal organ, often located near the base of the wing in insects.