Leishman Staining for the identification of haemocytes in Bettles

Abstract

Haemocytes in insects play a vital role in immune responses, and their general appearance varies in different groups.  Leishman stain is widely used for the staining and identification of blood cells. The present study was conducted to identify the haemocytes of two adult beetles, Pheropsophus sobrinus and Oryctes rhinoceros.  Haemocytes were stained with Leishman stain, examined, counted under a microscope and photographed. The cells were identified based on their general appearance, size, shape and position of the nucleus. Prohaemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, oenocytes, spherulocytes and adipohaemocytes are the major cells identified in the haemolymph. Differential haemocytes count showed a higher percentage of prohaemocytes in both the beetles. Plasmatocytes and adipohaemocytes had the second highest percentages in O. rhinoceros and oenocytes in P. sobrinus. The study enabled us to understand how the haemocytes of different insect species differ in terms of their appearance and number in concomitant with their mode of living.