The morphology of the phallosome and accessory gland material transfer during copulation in the blowfly,Lucilia cuprina (Insecta,Diptera)

Summary The mechanism of insemination in Lucilia cuprina is described. There are four duct openings on the phallosome. The terminal pore is continuous with the internal reproductive organs. The sub-terminal pore and paired, lateral pores are the openings of ducts formed by cuticular invaginations. The male accessory gland material appears to be re-routed from the terminal pore into the ducts of the lateral barbs once sperm transfer is complete. A novel means of deposition of the male accessory material is described, in which paired barbs on the phallosome tear the cuticle of thick-walled pads in the bursa copulatrix. After mating, accessory material is found within intra-cuticular spaces in the bursa copulatrix, which appear to become sealed at the points of penetration by plugs or scars.