Vergleich des Fühlers der reinen Geschlechter und der triploiden Intersexe von Solenobia triquetrella

Abstract

Diploid bisexual, diploid parthenogenetic, and tetraploid parthenogenetic races are known to exist in the psychid lepidopteran, Solenobia triquetrella. When tetraploid females are crossed with diploid males, triploid intersexes result. In the present analysis the antennae of females of all three races were compared with those of males and of intersexes, using the following parameters: length of the antennae; number, length, surface, and volume of their segments; length, arrangement, size, shape, and surface configuration of scales and bristles. Correlations between these properties and between the left and right antenna of individuals were determined. The results show that the antennae of intersexes display a chaotic mosaic of male and female characteristics and areas, which supports the following thesis expressed by the author in earlier investigations: during intersexual development male and female determining factors are active simultaneously; each cell is determined to become either entirely female, or entirely male. The so-called time-law of intersexuality as postulated for Lymantria by Goldschmidt does not apply.