1968] 
Roth — Oothecae of Lophoblatta 
103 
the vestibulum of the female inhibits the development of the ovaries. 
The inverse relationship between time of removal of the ootheca and 
time required to ovulate again can be explained by the fact that the 
basal oocytes in females carrying eggs near hatching time are larger 
than those in females that have recently oviposited and, therefore, 
less time is required for the oocytes to mature once the inhibiting 
influence of the ootheca is removed (Roth and Stay, 1962). 
At the time of ovulation, the ovariole of L. brevis contains only 
one oocyte in Zone V, and there are only 6 oocytes in Zone IV. 
Thus, the ovarioles resemble those of oviparous Blattella and Chorisia 
and certain Blaberidae (Roth, 1968b). 
AGE OF OOTHECA WHEN DETACHED 
Fig. 8. Relationship between age (days) of the oothecae when removed 
from the female and the time required by Lophoblatta brevis to ovulate 
again. 
