-u- 
FigTire 2 illustrates the internal portions of the reproductive tract 
-ftlth the side toward the observer removed. The dorsal and ventral plates 
and the sting are not shown, but portions of the walls of the sting cham- 
ber are seen at the right. A fold across the anterior floor of the sting 
chamber loosely separates a region called the bursa copula trix from the 
sting chamber proper. The vagina (V), throxogh its vaginal orifice (VO), 
and the bursal pouches (BP) open into this region. There are two bursal 
pouches, their openings lying at the side of and below the vaginal orifice, 
Only the left pouch is shown in figure 2. The position of their openings 
in relation to the vagina, when the queen is properly mounted for insem- 
ination, is shown in figure 1, BP. They are easily found with a dull 
probe. Sometines, when the queen is poorly mounted, a beginner might 
mistake a bursal pouch for the vagina. 
The spermathecal duct ( SPP ) from the spermatheca (not shoflm) enters 
the vagina anteriorly from above. Just below the opening of this duct is 
the valvefold (VF.)* ^ large tonguelike structure with transverse ridges, 
which make it distinguishable from other tissues when viewed through the 
vaginal opening. Its position is such that it can close the passage 
bet7/een the ''agina ?nd the median oviduct (SK and K) with a valvelike 
action. The paired oviducts (POV) enter the median oviduct anteriorly. 
Each paired oviduct leads to an ovary (not shown). They are large fluted 
structures capable of great expansion for the temporary storage of sperm 
after mating and of eggs in a laying queen. In figure 2 the reproductive 
tract is extended. During insemination the queen is held in such a way 
that the vagina is collapsed, and the valvefold often appears to lie 
just inside the vaginal opening (fig. 1, VF). 
Laidlaw found the diam.eter of the vaginal orifice to vary from 0.65 
to 0.68 mm., and the average diameter of the oviduct orifice to be 0,33 nmi. 
These diameters are important considerations in syringe construction. 
A detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the drone reproductive organs 
is not necessary for the mastery of the insemination technique. A des- 
cription of their structure and function is given by Laidlaw (2). Dur- 
ing natural m.ating the penis everts, and the reproductive fluids are 
ejaculated probably more or less simultaneously vdth the eversion. The 
semen, a cream-colored fluid containing the sperm, passes out first and 
is followed by the mucus, Tvhich is more viscous, pure white, and coagu- 
lates after ejacul?tion. Further details about the ejaculation process 
are given under Insemination Procedure. 
Queens just returned from the mating fli/?ht have been studied by 
a number of investigators. According to Laidlaw (2), who reviewed the 
earlier vfork, most of the semen is found in the oviducts, some is in the 
vagina, and some has already migrated into the spermathecal duct and 
spermatheca. Parts of the penis are found in the sting chamber buried 
in mucus, which also extends into the folds of its Walls. Since the 
penis apparently does not enter the vagina, the queen probably lowers 
the valvefold during the mating act to permit the semen to pass. 
