Testicles fusion of Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera; Crambidae) during post-embryonic development

Abstract

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an insect of great economic importance. The larvae are fed on sugarcane, causing damages to sugar and alcohol industry. In order to increase the knowledge concerning the internal anatomy, testicles of D. saccharalis were subjected whole mount method and processed by using scanning electron microscopy to describe its anatomy during post-embryonic development. This organ suffers fusion during pupae stage (chrysalis), differing from some Lepidoptera species with respect to localization, size, form and coloration. Four testicular follicles are present in larval stage; nevertheless, in adult stage this number is variable. Despite the observed differences, general anatomical patterns are very similar to those described in other Lepidoptera, and the divergent characteristics may be important for phylogenetics and taxonomics studies.