Abstract
A morphological and ultrastructural study was carried out on the seminal vesicles of Baculum thaii removed from individuals killed at 4, 10 and 20 days from the imaginai moult, with the intention of showing any modifications that these structures undergo during sexual maturity. From the comparative examination, clear evidence was found of epithelial transformations of these organs during sexual maturity: there was a gradual increase in cellular volume accompanied by a progressive development of the apparatus of synthesis. The most particular characteristics, however, in the individuals killed at 10 and 20 days from the moult were, in addition to a marked secretory activity, the presence of spermiophagic activity, which had never been found in the genital tracts of this order of insects. In the light of these results, it can be affirmed that the seminal vesicles of B. thaii, apart from being the site of the secretory activity necessary for maintaining the sperm in this area, also assume an important role in the processes of “controlling” and “regulating” sexual material that is kept ready for transfer to the female genitalia.
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