MORPHOHISTOLOGY OF THE MIDGUT OF TANYMECUS SCIURUS OLIV. (COLEOPTERA : CURCULIONIDAE)

Histologically, the midgut of T. sciurus is trimorphic in nature. The epithelial cells of the promesenteron are short and possess granulo-vacuolated cytoplasm. The mesomesenteron is characterised owing to the presence of the digestive and absorptive cells with vacuolated and granular cytoplasm respectively. The metamesenteron although studied with numerous diverticulae but the nature of the epithelium discussed more related to absorption rather than digestion. The peritrophic membrane is non-conspicuous throughs out the length of the mesenteron, whilst the musculature is poorly developed. The role of striated cell border is to release merocrine type droplets.