Investigation and comparison of the hemocyte types of the species used as live baits tenebrio molitor (linnaeus, 1758), zophobas morio (Fabricius, 1776) and alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) by light microscopy

In this study, it was aimed to determine the immune system elements of Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio and Alphitobius diaperinus species belonging to Tenebrionidae family used as live baits. Studying the homocyte types in hemolymph of the mentioned species, smear preparations were used which were stained with wright and giemsa stains. The sizes of the hemocyte types were measured and they were determined morphologically by taking hemocyte images from the obtained preparation. In the hemolymph of Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio and Alphitobius diaperinus larvaes, five different types of hemocytes as prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes and oenocytes were identified. When the evidences obtained in the study were compared, the same types of hemocytes were found in the hemolymph of Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio and Alphitobius diaperinus larvaes and it was observed that the sizes of the hemocytes were similar. Consequently, the immune system elements of the insects those are used as live baits with high protein levels and their affection of variables such as infection and ecdysis are studied. It is observed that the number of spherulocytes increases afterwards the ecdysis, and the number of plasmatocytes and granulocytes increases in case of infection.