Comparative morphology of the male genitalia of Aphididae (Insecta, Hemiptera): part 1

The present study provides new data concerning the morphology of the male genitalia of Aphididae and unifies their nomenclature. The structure of the male genitalia of 31 species from 26 genera of Aphididae was studied with light and scanning electron microscopy. In the studied species, the genitalia of males consist of a phallus composed of the sclerotized basal part with its articulation and a membranous apical part—an aedeagus. Laterally of the phallus, there is a pair of setose parameres. The shape of the aedeagus, the shape and length of the sclerotized basal part and its articulation as well as the variability of parameres in their form and the number of setae are recognized as important systematic signs of the genitalia. These characters are considered in conjunction with the phylogenetic relationships among the studied taxa.