External morphology of the wax glands of Epiptera woodworthi (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae)

External morphology of the wax gland plates and wax gland pores of the fourth-instar nymph of the achilid planthopper, Epiptera woodworthi (Van Duzee) (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Achilidae), is described for the first time, based on scanning electron microscope observations. Six large, oblong wax gland plates are located on lateral regions of the 6th-8th abdominal tergites. Each wax gland plate has numerous, very small, disc-shaped wax gland pores, each of which is composed of a middle disc (3.94-4.25 mu m in diameter) surrounded by 5-7 microtubules (six being the most common number encountered) that are separated by 4-6 ridges (five being the most common number encountered). Wax gland pores are separated by numerous rounded papillae located in shallow cavities which have smooth rims with the side adjacent to the wax pore being distinctly ridged. Wax gland pores observed in Epiptera woodworthi are externally very similar to those found in nymphs of species of Cixiidae and Dictyopharidae.