Abstract:
Teratology can be defined as the study of the
causes producing abnormalities, malformations or
defects of the physical development (Ujházy et al.
2012). Teratological examples have been described
in almost all animal groups, including insects
(Ferrer et al. 2014). The importance of reporting
teratological events in insects has been discussed
by Glasgow (1925), Cockayne (1937) and Savini &
Furth (2004). Glasgow (1925) stated that insect
malformations should be documented to make
these cases available to investigators who may
have a special interest in such events. Cockayne
(1937) mentioned that, even if the observed
teratologies do not represent something novel,
it seems desirable to publish these descriptions
accompanied by plates illustrating the
nature of the abnormality. Savini&Furth (2004) in
their discussion of malformations in Coleoptera,
stressed the importance of recording insect abnormalities,
indicating that, in some cases, these
abnormalities offer valuable information about
the influence of environmental conditions during
insect development.
