MORPHOLOGY OF THE FEMALE SEX-PHEROMONE GLAND OF YPONOMEUTA LATREILLE (LEPIDOPTERA, YPONOMEUTIDAE)

The morphology of the female sex pheromone gland of Yponomeuta cagnage llus was studied using Scanning Electron and Light Microscopy. This gl and is situated ventrally in the intersegmental membrane, just in fron t of the last abdominal segment. The cuticula is thickened and slightl y raised at the site of the gland, and bears furrows, the rims of whic h are less densely covered with short spines than the intersegmental m embrane itself. Internally the gland is composed of a single layer of large columnar or pear-shaped cells, rising above the epithelial cells and linked to the cuticle by slender connections. These cells are sim ilar to those found in other Lepidoptera. No differences were found fo r morphology when compared with other small ermine moth species found in Europe. The pheromone gland is classified as of a simple folded typ e.