Using ultramorphological and histochemical techniques, this study describes the structural and morphological patterns of Polistes versicolor (Olivier) hypopharyngeal glands, comparing them with patterns of other Hymenopteran groups. Besides, the presence of intra-specific variation was evidenced by morphometric analysis of the secretory cells in wasps with different ages. The studied species presented glands with primitive characteristics, with secretory cells discharging individually in the hypopharyngeal plate. The morphological pattern found in hypopharyngeal glands was basically the same for all studied wasps, however, the length of glandular cells showed significant variations between individuals. Apparently these variations are not related with age.
Wasp; salivary system; evolution; morphology; morphometry
