Anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tractof Machtima crucigera (Fabricius, 1775) (Heteroptera: Coreidae)

Abstract

Representatives of the Coreidae, include species of economic importance that are pests in some crops, such as Machtima crucigera (Fabricius, 1775) pest of acerola crops. Morphological studies can contribute to the understanding of the evolutionary history of insects and to elucidate their reproductive strategies. This study describes the structure of the male reproductive tract of this insect. The males have two pectin-shaped testes, with seven follicles each, and many cysts at different developmental stages. In the testicular follicles, three spermatogenesis regions are recognized: the growth, maturation and differentiation zones. The reproductive tract also includes a pair of deferent ducts, each which enlarge into two seminal vesicle, accessory glands of mesodermal and ectodermal origins, an ejaculatory bulb, an ectodermal sac and an ejaculatory duct ending in the aedeagus. The testes and seminal vesicles are covered externally by an orange-pigmented peritoneal sheath. The morphological features of the male reproductive tract of M. crucigera and its similarities with other Heteroptera are discussed. These characters have potential to elucidate reproductive strategies of this agricultural pest and the evolutionary history of the group.