Studies on the Internal Anatomy of the Black Carpet Beetle, Attagenus megatoma123

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Abstract
The histology and anatomy of the digestive tract of the adult and larva of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.) (=A. piccus (Olivier)), are described and illustrated. Posteriorly, the larval foregut is expanded into a bulb which is formed by a proliferation of noncellular material similar to basement membrane. Within the adult digestive tract, the larval midgut is retained as a closed tube until excreted. There is evidence that the midgut epithelium is regenerated with each larval molt. The malpighian tubules are appressed distally to the ventral portion of the hindgut and are formed terminally into a mass of convoluted tubules. Bands of oenocytes occur along the dorsoventral muscles in larval and adult abdominal segments and in the meso- and metathorax of the adult. The female reproductive system consists of 2 ovaries each containing 6 ovarioles, a partially sclerotized diverticulum of the vagina, a spermatheca, and an accessory gland. The anus and gonopore arc separate openings on the same sclerotized tube. The male system contains 2 testes each with 6 sperm tubes, 2 seminal vesicles, 2 accessory glands, and 4 unidentified projections.

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