The Spermatheca in Male Cockroach
WouterThe cockroach’s reproductive system consists of two large ovaries that lie laterally in the 2nd to 6th abdominal segments. Each ovary has eight ovarian tubules and a chain of developing ova. The ovary and oviduct then unite and form the vagina, or external genitalia. A pair of spermathecae are located around the external genital chamber, and the spermatheca are located in the sixth segment.
Both male cockroaches and female cockroaches have a phallic gland (phallus) in their abdomens. These glands produce a hormone called ecdysone, which controls the nymphal moult. The prothoracic glands die after metamorphosis. In the male cockroach, the spermatheca are present in the sixth and seventh abdominal segments.
The phallic gland is a large accessory gland with a narrow duct opening into the genital pouch. The gonopore is located inside this gland. The male cockroach genital pouch is located at the hind end of the abdomen, bounded by the 9th and 10th abdominal segments. Each testis contains a gonopore and a spermatophore. Spermatophores are glued together and discharged during copulation.
The spiracles of the cockroach have ten pairs, two pairs are located in the thorax and eight pairs in the abdomen. The thoracic spiracles are situated between the prothorax and mesothorax, while the abdominal spiracles are located between the terga and sterna. Both have bristles and hairs to protect the spiracles.
