The Determination of Male Reproductive System Histology and Anatomy in the Poplar Flat Headed Borer Melanophila picta decastigma (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

In this study, the male reproductive system histology and anatomy of Melanophila picta decastigma were examined with light and scanning electron microscope. At the end of the examinations, it was seen that the male reproductive system of M. picta decastigma has a pair of testes, vasa deferentia, accessory glands, spermatophoral glands, an ejaculatory duct and an aedeagus. The testes are yellowish proximally and white distally. Each testis has seven follicles. Spermatocytes are grouped in the growth zone; bundles of spermatids are evident in the maturation zone that differentiate into spermatozoa in the differentiation zone. The vas deferens attaches to the proximal part of the testis. The vas deferens is long, coiled and contains spermatozoa. The wall of the vas deferens is surrounded medially by a monolayer cubical epithelium with round nuclei. It opens into the ejaculatory duct proximal to the vas deferens. Another structure that opens into the ejaculatory duct is the spermatophoral glands. In the longitudinal sections of the spermatophoral glands, is distinguished that they are filled with eosinophilic secretory material in the lumen. The wall of the gland is surrounded by multilayer epithelium and a thin layer of muscle. The ejaculatory duct wall is surrounded by a monolayer of epithelium and a rather thick layer of muscle. The ejaculatory duct connects with the aedeagus at its proximal end. As a result of the researches, there is no study on the reproductive system of the genus Melanophila.