General morphology of the digestive and internal reproductive systems of adult Cardiochiles nigriceps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Abstract

The digestive tract of Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck consists of a narrow esophagus, a large thin-walled crop, the proventriculus. and an active epithelium present in the ventriculus. The malpighian tubules are free in the body cavity and are relatively short. The hindgut is divided into 2 distinct regions with rectal pads in the posterior section. The female internal reproductive system consists of 2 pairs of elongated ovarioles. The proximal portion of the egg tube is enlarged and contains 20–30 mature ova. The calyx also is enlarged and filled with a fluid in which several ova may be embedded. Two prominent accessory glands and a small spermatheca are present. The male internal reproductive system consists of 2 testes each containing 1 sperm tubule. The vas deferens is short and leads to a seminal vesicle containing elongated, vacuolated epithelial cells. No accessory glands were observed tobe associated with the male reproductive system.