Anatomy and histology of the ovaries and male reproductive tract of Atopozelus opsimus (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

Atopozelus opsimus Elkins, 1954 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae), native from Brazil, prey forest pests but its morphology needs further studies. The aim was to describe the anatomy and histology of the female ovaries and the male reproductive tract of A. opsimus , with emphasis on gamete formation. The organs were dissected and analyzed with light microscopy. The females have a pair of meroistic-telotrophic ovaries with seven ovarioles with oocytes in different developmental stages, two lateral oviducts, a common oviduct, two yellow spermathecae, and a genital chamber. The male reproductive tract consists of a pair of testes with seven follicles each lined by a transparent peritoneal sheath and continuously spermatozoa production; two deferent ducts with yellow seminal vesicles; a pair of ectadenial accessory glands; and an ejaculatory duct. The ovaries and male reproductive tract indicate characteristics of A. opsimus similar to a common ancestor of Heteroptera.