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Table 2 Characteristics of Haemocytes Present in Fifth Instar Nymphs of Dysdercus koenigii

From: Evaluation of farnesol-induced changes in the haemocyte pattern of red cotton bug Dysdercus koenigii Fabricius (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae)

Type of Haemocyte

Morphology (shape/size)

Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Relative abundance

Prohaemocyte

Small (3-10 μm), spherical, oval, elliptical, high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio

Large, centrally located; size is variable 3-12 μm

Devoid of inclusions

12–16%

Plasmatocyte

Polymorphic, spherical to oval, larger than prohaemocytes (up to 20 μm long), small nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio

Round or elongated, generally centrally located, occasionally binucleate

Basophilic, may be granular or agranular,

35–52%

Adipohaemocyte

Small to large (7–45 μm diameter),

Small, 4-10 μm diameter; round or slightly elongated; centric or eccentric

Contain small to large fat droplets, non-lipid granules, vacuoles

23–42%

Granulocytes

Spherical, 5–8 μm in diameter

Round and centrally located

Membrane bound inclusions found may be regular or irregular in shape

5–11%

Oenocytoid

Large cells (up to 25 μm) with regular rounded or oval shape, low nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio

Small (3–15 μm); round or elongate eccentric contains large nucleolus

Abundant

1–2% of all the haemocytes present

Disintegrated cell

No definite shape and size. Have ruptured cell membrane

Nuclear swelling, rupturing

Abnormal vacuolation, discharged cytoplasmic contents

2–7%