PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 23, NO. 6, JUNE, 1921 145 



ON THE MALE GENITALIA OF THE MICROLEPIDOPTERA AND 

 THEIR SYSTEMATIC IMPORTANCE. 



BY AUGUST BUSCK. AND CARI. HEINRICH. 



In recent papers we have applied certain terms in defining 

 the genitalia structure which it is our intention to use in subse- 

 quent treatment of the various Micro families. These are 

 based on careful morphological studies of many forms and a 

 homology of the parts in their various and often puzzling 

 modifications. While we have considered mainly the Micro- 

 lepidoptera our studies have included the Macro groups 

 also and to them the nomenclature applies equally well. 

 We have not conformed to strict priority in choice of names but 

 have adopted the terms which seemed most appropriate and 

 at the same time most generally accepted by Lepidopterists. 1 



In the structure of the genitalia are involved two segments of 

 the abdomen (the 9th and 10th) aside from occasional modifica- 

 tions of the 8th. 2 



The exact defining limits of these two segments are not 

 determinable; but the general structure, homologized with the 

 locations of corresponding openings in the pupa, clearly indicate 

 that the chitinized structures surrounding the genital opening 

 are developments of sclerites of the 9th abdominal segment and 

 that the chitinizations surrounding the anal opening are devel- 

 oped from the 10th. 



John B. Smith has been the first to make extensive systematic use of 

 the genitalia in Lepidoptera we have where possible used his terms in preference 

 to others. For this reason we have not followed the suggestion of Dr. 

 McDunnough in his excellent paper on the terminology of these parts (Can. 

 Ent., vol. 43, 1911, pp. 181-189.) 



2 Different homologies have been suggested by other authors. Some following 

 Berlese have included an eleventh abdominal segment in the genitalia. In a 

 recent paper by Mr. John R. Ever (Bui. Brook Ent. Soc., vol. 16, 1921, pp. 

 1-8) certain of the structure we refer to the 9th segment" (harpes, vinculum 

 ami aedoeagus) are considered as belonging to the 8th and 10th respectively, 

 while others which form their close association with the anal opening (socii) we 

 consider as developments of the l()th segment are considered by him as belong- 

 ing to the 9th. Such homologies do not seem to harmonize with the position 

 of the genital and anal openings anil armature of the pupa. Again we are 

 unable to find any indication of an llth abdominal segment in any Lepidop- 

 terous larva or pupa and the hypothesis of such an additional segment in the 

 adult moth is at least unnecessary to a definition of the various parts of the 

 genitalia structure and their homology within the Lepidoptera. 



Our purpose, however, is not primarily the homology of the genital parts with 

 particular sclerites or somites, but a homology of the structures as they are 

 developed within the order Lepidoptera and a definition which will enable 

 satisfactory application to Taxonomy. 



