Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T08:54:42.687Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Form and function of the spermatophore in Culicoides melleus (Coq.) (Dipt., Ceratopogonidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

J. R. Linley  and
G. M. Adams
J. R. Linley
Affiliation:
Florida State Division of Health, Entomological Research Center, Vero Beach, Florida 32960, U.S.A.
G. M. Adams
Affiliation:
Florida State Division of Health, Entomological Research Center, Vero Beach, Florida 32960, U.S.A.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Sperm-transfer in Culicoides melleus (Coq.) is achieved by means of an intermediary spermatophore. The form of the spermatophore, only the second to be observed in a species of Culicoides, is described and illustrated. Though generally similar to others reported in Diptera, the spermatophore of C. melleus is distinguished by the presence of a long neck attached to the main capsule. Formation of the spermatophore occurs after sexual union has been achieved, and throughout mating the capsule remains held in the male apparatus. The distinguishing functional feature is that the entire length of the neck lies within the common duct of the spermathecae. The presence of an appendage of the spermatophore inside the spermathecal duct is a hitherto unknown phenomenon in Nematocera.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 60 , Issue 3 , February 1971 , pp. 427 - 430
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1971

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Davies, L. (1965). On spermatophores in Simuliidae (Diptera).—Proc. R. ent. Soc. Land. A 40, 30–34.Google Scholar
Downes, J. A. (1955). Observations on the swarming flight and mating of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).—Trans. R. ent. Soc. Lond. 106, 213–236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Downes, J. A. (1958 a). Assembly and mating in the biting Nematocera.—Proc. Xth int. Congr. Ent. Montreal 1956, 425–434.Google Scholar
DOWNES, J. A. (1958 b). The genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Canada; an introductory review.—Proc. Xth int. Congr. Ent. Montreal 1956, 801–808.Google Scholar
Downes, J. A. (1968). Notes on the organs and processes of sperm-transfer in the lower Diptera.—Can. Ent. 100, 608–617.Google Scholar
Downes, J. A. (1969). The swarming and mating flight of Diptera.—A. Rev. Ent. 14, 271–298.Google Scholar
Linley, J. R. (1969). Studies on larval development in Culicoides furens (Poey) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). I. Establishment of a standard rearing technique.—Ann. ent. Soc. Am. 62, 702–711.Google Scholar
Nielsen, E. T. (1959). Copulation of Glyptotendipes (Phytotendipes) paripes Edwards.—Nature, Lond. 184, 1252–1253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pomerantzev, B. I. (1932). Beitrage zur Morphologie und Anatomie der Genitalien von Culicoides (Diptera: Nematocera).—Mag. Parasit. 3, 183–214. [In Russian, German summary.]Google Scholar