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Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s3-91, 63-72, Copyright © 1950 by Company of Biologists

The Outer Layers of the Cuticle in the Cockroach Periplaneta americana and the Function of the Oenocytes

S. KRAMER 1 and V. B. WIGGLESWORTH 2

1 Department of Zoology, Cambridge; National Research Council Fellow (U.S.A.)
2 Department of Zoology, Cambridge

In the epicuticle of the cockroach there is a cement layer formed, as in other insects, by secretion from certain of the dermal glands at the time of moulting. These dermal glands are widely distributed over the abdominal tergites and sternites in both sexes. Their cell-bodies are atrophied in the mature insect. They differ in this respect from the very numerous dermal glands on the abdominal tergites of the male, which remain distended with vacuoles.

The cuticular wax, which is freely exposed on the surface of the cuticle, is thought to be produced by the sub-epidermal oenocytes and to be discharged during the life of the cockroach, perhaps through the pore canals, by the epidermal cells.

The oenocytes of the honey-bee are much larger during the height of wax secretion than they are in the foraging bee.

The view that the oenocytes are concerned in wax metabolism is compatible with the view that they synthesize the lipoprotein (or wax protein) components of the cuticle and egg-shell.






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1950