Abstract
This study describes the ultrastructure at ‘the line of weakness’ in the male puparium of Elenchus tenuicornis (Kirby) (Insecta: Strepsiptera). Superficially this line looked like an area of untanned cuticle but ultrastructurally it had an undifferentiated epicuticle, an untanned exocuticle and a loose textured endocuticle. It is speculated that the E. tenuicornis pharate adult male prior to emergence smears a chemical solution on the inner rim of the ‘line of weakness’ which dissolves the exo- and endocuticles. Following this, the slightest pressure exerted by the ptilinum of the male breaks open the cap of the puparium.
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