Testicular development and spermatogenesis in Calpodes ethlius Stoll (Hesperiidae, Lepidoptera)

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Abstract
Some general features of the internal male reproductive system of C. ethlius are described. The visibility of the testes through the transparent integument makes males distinguishable from hatching to the midpupal stage. The paired larval testes fuse at metamorphosis into a single adult testis. The major nongerminal cells of the testis consist of an outer capsule layer and an inner follicular layer which also extends inwards as septa separating the follicles. The cells of these 2 layers undergo extensive changes in shape and contents throughout larval life and during metamorphosis. Meiosis begins during the 3rd larval instar with development of primary spermatocytes, followed by preparation for 1st meiotic division. Six spermatogonial and 2 meiotic divisions give rise to 256 sperm per cyst. Eight cyst cells are present in each cyst. Eupyrene spermatids 1st appear .apprx. 24 h before ecdysis into the last (5th) larval instar and apyrene spermatids in the early wax-secreting 5th larva. Both kinds of spermatids continue to be produced in approximately the same relative proportions throughout the pupal and adult stages.