Morphology of the Female Sex Pheromone Gland of Yponomeuta Latreille (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

Abstract

The morphology of the female sex pheromone gland of Yponomeuta cagnagellus was studied using Scanning Electron and Light Microscopy. This gland is situated ventrally in the intersegmental membrane, just in front of the last abdominal segment. The cuticula is thickened and slightly raised at the site of the gland, and bears furrows, the rims of which are less densely covered with short spines than the intersegmental membrane itself. Internally the gland is composed of a single layer of large columnar or pear-shaped cells, rising above the epithelial cells and linked to the cuticle by slender connections. These cells are similar to those found in other Lepidoptera. No differences were found for morphology when compared with other small ermine moth species found in Europe. The pheromone gland is classified as of a simple folded type.