Ventral exocrine gland of larva of Spodoptera (Prodenia) litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Singh, O.P.; Gangrade, G.A.
Zeitschrift für Mikroskopisch-Anatomische Forschung 90(3): 540-544
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-3107 PMID: 1031512 Document Number: 99774
The morphological and histological structure of the ventral exocrine gland of the larva of the tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera (Prodenia) litura (Fab.) is shown. The proximal region of the gland is capable of protrusion through the prothoracic sternal slit as an elongate organ reaching upto the spinneret. The middle region of the gland shows characteristic giant cells in only one of the walls of the epithelium, while the distal region shows a thin flat epithelium with small round closely situated nuclei resting against the tunica propria. The gland probably secretes a gummy fluid for larval movements rather than a stinking odourous fluid for defense.