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Morphological Integration and Modularity in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) hind wings

The morphological integration of the hind wings of the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera was investigated to gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary processes undergone by this invasive species. Geometric morphometric methods were used to test two different modularity pattern hypotheses associated with the wing aerodynamic flexibility of the species (hypothesis (H)1: anterior/posterior or H2: dorsal/ventral wing parts). Both hypotheses were rejected for D. v. virgifera. The two modules tested do not represent separate units of variation within the hind wings of this species, rather the hind wings of D. v. virgifera act as a single functioning unit. The moderate strength of covariation (PLS-RV: 0.39) found between anterior and posterior parts of the hind wing accounted for nearly all the shape variation in the entire hind wing of D. v. virgifera. These findings suggest that D. v. virgifera wings act as a single morphological structure which enables flexibility and manoeuvrability in flight. These findings lay the ground work for future flight performance and biogeographical studies on how wing shape and size vary across the endemic and expanded/invaded range in the USA and Europe of D. v. virgifera.

wing shape; centroid size; integration; modularity; Diabrotica

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