The Ovarian Structure and Vitellogenesis, Spermatheca, and Egg in the Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal, 1813) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

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Özyurt Koçakoğlu N., Arslan H., Candan S.

MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1093/mam/ozag074
  • Dergi Adı: MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Scopus, Technology Collection (ProQuest), Aerospace Database, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The female reproductive system, spermatheca, and eggs of the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica, were analyzed using stereo, light, and scanning

electron microscopy (SEM). The system consists of paired ovaries, lateral and common oviducts, a spermatheca, and a genital chamber. Each

ovary contains two long, telotrophic-meroistic ovarioles, divided into the terminal filament, germarium, vitellarium, and pedicel. The

germarium houses trophocytes and young oocytes, while the vitellarium contains oocytes at various developmental stages. Previtellogenic

oocytes feature a cylindrical follicular epithelium without yolk. In contrast, vitellogenic oocytes possess a cuboidal epithelium and yolk-filled

ooplasm; during the choriogenic stage, the follicular epithelium becomes squamous, and the ooplasm becomes densely packed with yolk.

Histological differences in epithelium and muscle layers distinguish the lateral and common oviducts. Eggs, measuring approximately 0.2 mm

by 0.3 mm, are laid on alfalfa stems. Initially whitish, they darken to black during embryonic development. SEM analysis revealed a porous

endochorion and an exochorion characterized by transverse and longitudinal lamellar air spaces, likely facilitating gas exchange. These

morphological and histological findings offer critical insights into the reproductive biology of H. postica, providing a structural basis for

improving pest management and biological control interventions.