Histoanatomy of the male reproductive system of the adult Deudorix isocrates (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

The pomegranate butterfly, Deudorix isocrates (Fab.) is the serious pest of pomegranate causes considerable economic loss. The present light microscopic studies on the male reproductive system of the adult D. isocrates (Fab.) describe the anatomical and histological details which have not been reported earlier. These aspects of the pest studies have greater significance in pest management because reproductive organs are related with the development and life cycle of the pest. Anatomically the male reproductive system of D. isocrates consists of fused testes, a pair of thin walled vasa deferentia in continuation of proximal end of fused testes, a pair of seminal vesicles as a simple dilation of vasa deferentia, distal paired portion of ejaculatory duct which is referred as ductus ejaculatorius duplex, proximal single tubular ductus ejaculatorius simplex and the paired accessory glands. The genital tracts are complexly coiled. Histologically the fused testis is composed with spirally coiled longitudinal seminiferous follicles exhibit spermatogenesis in the numerous cysts. Longitudinally folded tall columnar epithelium of vas difference, cuboidal epithelium of seminal vesicle and low columnar epithelium of ejaculatory duct in D. isocrates are evidential in other lepidopterist species. The wall of male accessory gland is composed of columnar epithelium and muscle coat. These observations are concurred with some reports of the pest species of moths. In the accessory glands the nuclei of the columnar epithelial cells are round and located basally. The apical cytoplasm of columnar cells is vacuolated suggests secretory nature of accessary gland.