Reproductive system of pollu beetle, Longitarsus nigripennis Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a major pest of black pepper, Piper nigrum Linnaeus Devasahayam S., Vidyasagar P.S.P.V., Koya K.M. Abdulla Indian Institute of Spices Research, P.B. No. 1701, Marikunnu P.O., Calicut-673 012, Kerala (India). *Present address: Red Palm Weevil Project, Agriculture Improvement Scheme, Saihat-31972, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Abstract The morphology of female and male internal reproductive systems of pollu beetle, Longitarsus nigripennis Motschulsky, a major pest of black pepper, Piper nigrum Linnaeus in India, is described. The female system consists of a pair of ovaries, lateral oviducts, common oviduct, vagina (genital chamber) and spermatheca with its duct and gland. Each ovary consists of a small number of 5–7 telotrophic ovarioles. A bursa copulatrix is absent. The presence of a chitinous spine-like structure lying ventrally on the outer wall of the vagina is a distinctive feature. The male system consists of a pair of testis fused together, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory duct and accessory glands. The lobes of the testis are fused completely. The vas deferens and seminal vesicles are distinct from each other and the latter is wider than the former. A pair of long and tubular accessory glands which open into the ejaculatory duct is also present. Top |