Wednesday, December 12, 2001 -
D0561

Microstructure and possible functions of the chorionic spongy bodies in German cockroach, Blattella germanica L., oothecae

K. June Mullins and D. E. Mullins. Virginia Tech, Department of Entomology, 319 Price Hall, Blacksburg, VA

Although the general structure of the German cockroach ootheca has been described by previous authors, there is little information on the microanatomical relationships of its various components. Using light and electron microscopy, we have constructed a three dimensional microanatomical description of the oothecal chorion, associated spongy bodies and developing embryos. Possible physiological functions of these structural relationships are proposed.

Species 1: Dictyoptera Blattellidae Blattella germanica (German cockroach)
Keywords: chorion, spongy bodies

The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA