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Journal of Electron Microscopy 47(5): 505-515 (1998)
© 1998 Oxford University Press

The labium of the Oriental hornet: micromorphology and functions

Shira Kirshboim and Jacob S. Ishay*

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University Ramat-Aviv, 69978, Israel

*To whom correspondence should be sent. E-mail: physiol7{at}ccsg.tau.ac.il

The fine morphology of the labium in the Oriental hornet, Vespa orientalis (Hymenoptera, Vespinae) worker was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The unpaired labium is composed of the parts that are usual in Vespinae except that here they bear a variety of setae and sensilla. The setae are distributed over the entire organ but their density and variation are greater on the upper than the lower part and more on the distal than on the proximal end. On the upper distal end there is a high concentration of setae that in general appearance resemble working tools, specifically brushes whose hairs vary in length and are partly directed inwards and partly outwards, with ducts of the labial secretory glands interposed between them. The setae on the glossa-mostly those near the secretory ducts but also the ones at the tip of the paraglossa-are spadelike, that is, bent at the tip by 90° toward the interior of the mouth cavity. The function of these setae is probably to evenly spread the secreted matter, whereas the more proximal setae, whose tips are folded rather than bent, probably serve to smooth the cement layer. The article discusses the possible roles of the labium, its various setae and its secretion, pointing out the function of the labium as an instrument for building the comb. As such the labium is considered from the following standpoints: geometric (for determining orientation of the comb cells), static (for determining thickness of the cell walls and envelopes), mechanical (for determining strength and weight of the built structures), acoustic (for assessing sound transmission through the built structures), and electric (for monitoring capacitance, resistivity, current conduction and the conversion of thermal energy to electric energy). Mention is made also of the role of the labium in the testing of food.

Keywords     social insects, hornets, labium, comb building, organic polymers, SEM

Received      3 February 1998, accepted 9 June 1998


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