Morphology of the reproductive tract and ovariole histology of apanteles galleriae (hymenoptera: braconidae) reared on two host species

Abstract

We investigated the morphology of the reproductive tract and ovariole histology of koinobiont solitary early instar larval endoparasitoid Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared on two lepidopteran species, greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) and lesser wax moth, Achoria grisella Fabr. (both Pyralidae). The work did not reveal any apparent difference between the morphology of either males or females as well as histology of females reared on two different hosts. The internal organs of reproductive system in A. galleriae adults conform mostly to the basic plan displayed in other parasitoid species. However, the system is not typically hymenopteran in that ovarioles unite before calyx. The ovipositor anatomy is typical of terebrantes in general. Vesicula seminalis and accessory glands were found united in males. Our results may be beneficial for success in biological control applications as well as they might be of value in phylogenetic, evolutionary, and systematic studies.