Ultrastructure of Accessory Sex Glands of Male <i>Spodoptera mauritia</i> Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The male Accessory Sex Glands (ASGs) of Spodoptera mauritia Boisd (Paddy army worm), the major pest of Oryza sativa are a pair of elongated tubes lying close to each other arising from the anterior end of the ductus ejaculatorius duplex on male reproductive system showing distinct morphological differentiation into three regions: proximal, mid and distal regions. The proximal and distal regions are composed of a single layer of columnar epithelial cells resting on a basement membrane surrounded by muscle layer whereas the mid region is composed of 2-3 layers of closely packed small cuboidal cells. The lumen of all the regions contains secretion. Electron microscope studies show that all the regions of ASGs are well equipped with protein synthetic machinery and exhibit secretory activity whereas mid region is also concerned with storage and transportation of the luminal contents.