Vitellogenesis inAcanthoscelides obtectus(Coleoptera: Bruchidae). I—Oocyte development and vitellogenin in a European strain

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Abstract
Oocyte development was studied in a European strain of the bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus. In the experimental system used, oocyte growth begins after several hours of imaginal life. The lengths of the terminal and penultimate oocytes were measured and correlations between these measurements showed that the latter stopped growing when the former was in the phase of accelerated growth. Vitellogenin could be immunologically detected in the hemolymph of sexually mature females and was undetectable in males, larvae and in females immediately after imaginal exuviation. The moment of vitellogenin appearance in young females varies from one insect to another. It appears that no specific external stimulus is required to initiate the synthesis and incorporation of the vitellin protein in this European strain.