SPERMIOGENESIS IN 3 SPECIES OF WHITEFLY (HOMOPTERA, ALEYRODIDAE)

Aflagellate and immotile spermatozoa of three species of whitefly, Bem isia tabaci, Dialeroudes citri and Trialeroudes vaporariorum (Aleyrodi dae), are described. In these three species, axoneme and mitochondria are present in the early spermatid, but degenerate in the later stages . The acrosome has arborescent appendages that almost completely surro und the spermatozoan. In D. citri the acrosomal projections are more e longated and branched than in T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci. Nuclear a nd cell elongation appear to occur in the absence of microtubules. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.