Spermatogenesis in Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera, Pyralididae)

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Abstract
Spermatogenesis in E. kuchniella is described. The 8 follicle germaria of the testis contain apical cells surrounded by predefinitive gonia. The gonial cells leave the germaria and individually become associated with somatic nurse cells to form cysts of definitive spermatogenic gonia which undergo 6 mitotic divisions followed by meiosis to produce an optimal number of 256 spermatids/cyst. During spermiogenesis the spermatids differentiate into spermatozoa .apprx. 585 .mu.m long. This process is accompanied by a transition to more basic nuclear proteins.