Detailed developmental morphology of the spermatophore of the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus (De Geer) (Orthoptera : Gryllidae)

The detailed developmental morphology of the spermatophore of a cricket (Gr yllus bimaculatus, De Geer) is described for the first time. A specific beh avioural reference Feint is identified from which time developmental proces ses proceed in a more or less robotic manner. The structures previously ide ntified as forming part of the fully formed spermatophore, that is, the amp ulla, the sperm tube and the attachment plate are all identified in detail during their development. Interestingly the attachment plate material is ex truded as an amorphous mass from the ejaculatory duct prior to its insertio n into the dorsal pouch, the sperm do not enter. the sperm sac until the en d of spermatophore formation, and the sperm tube itself is formed from a fl attened layer of material which rolls up into a tube and involves the use o f a die mechanism. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.