Contamination as the Cause of Erroneous Records of Brochosomes

Figure 1

Insect integuments contaminated with brochosomes. (a) Pulvillus of Sthenarus rotermundi reared in captivity, showing the largest concentration of brochosomes (12 particles) observed among heteropteran specimens in this study and some bacteria. (b) Wing of Drosophila melanogaster kept in ethanol together with leafhoppers; inset: close-up of brochosomes. (c) Eye of D. melanogaster kept within a leafhopper-contaminated aspirator reservoir. (d) Tarsus of D. melanogaster kept within a leafhopper-contaminated aspirator reservoir. Scale bars: 2 μm (a–d).

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