Histological studies of the pheromone-producing gland in female of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Zohry, Nasra M. H.

doi:10.21608/eajbsd.2013.14138

Histological studies of the pheromone-producing gland in female of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Nasra M. H. Zohry

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Egypt

10.21608/eajbsd.2013.14138

Abstract

Sex pheromone gland in female Spodoptera littoralis was studied histologically. The scent gland is located in the body cavity beneath the 7^th and 8^th abdominal tergites and ventrally around the ninth segments. The gland lies in the body cavity has an eversible sac forming a ring shaped structure. The eversible sac lined with cuticular layer that has spines pointing toward the lumen of the sac. The gland composed of two distinct regions secretory and storing. Cells of each region are composed of a single layer of flattened, columnar or cuboidal epithelial cells containing large circular or oval basal located nuclei and a layer of cuticle covering the epithelial cells with distinct spines. PAS-positive substances were demonstrated intracellular for both regions. In addition, the leuminal contents within the storing region are intensely PAS stained. Transmission electron microscopy of the ventral surface of the 9^th segment showed the presence of electron opaque spherical bodies in the epithelial cells.

Keywords