In this article we will discuss about the male and female reproductive system of grasshopper.
Male Reproductive System of Grasshopper:
The male reproductive system of grasshopper (Fig. 50B) consists of a pair of testes, a pair of vasa deferentia, an ejaculatory duct, a copulatory organ, accessory glands and a genital opening.
1. The testes in grasshopper are a pair of almost oval bodies, situated on either side of the body and each is formed of testicular follicles, where the spermatozoa are formed. The testes are held together by terminal filaments.
2. From the two testes come out two sperm ducts or vasa deferentia.
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3. The two vasa deferentia unite to form a short but broad ejaculatory duct which opens on the terminal segment of the abdomen.
4. A thick conical penis or copulatory organ is situated between the anus and the external genital opening.
5. Accessory glands are present at the anterior end of the ejaculatory duct in between the vasa deferentia. These apparently secrete a fluid that aids in the transfer of spermatozoa to the female.
Female Reproductive System of Grasshopper:
The female reproductive system of grasshopper consists of a pair of ovaries, a pair of oviducts, a vagina, a spermatheca, certain accessory structures and a genital opening.
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1. The female grasshopper has a pair of slightly elongated ovaries each of which is composed of a number of egg tubules or ovarioles held together by terminal filaments. The ovarioles are devoid of lumen, contain oogonia and oocytes arranged in a linear series with nurse cells, and other tissue cells.
2. The oocytes grow in course of their way down.
3. The ovaries are connected with a pair of oviducts. They are swollen at the middle and unite to form a vagina posteriorly, which opens into a genital chamber, situated between the plates of the ovipositor, the organ for digging holes to place the fertilized eggs.
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4. A tubular seminal receptacle or spermatheca opens dorsal to the vaginal pore, that receives spermatozoa and releases them when the eggs are fertilized.
5- There is a small pore, the micropyle, which acts as the passage for the entrance of spermatozoon.
6. The eggs after being matured, escape from the ovariole and pass down the oviducts. Yolk is deposited and the shell is secreted around the fertilised egg during this period.
7. The egg is surrounded by a delicate vitelline membrane and a brownish flexible
The young grasshopper, after hatching looks like the adult excepting a large head and the conspicuous absence of wings. This stage is known as nymph. It is a stage of voracious feeding and rapid growth. The nymph undergoes five moultings, after which the adult condition is reached. During the process, the wings are formed and this mode of development is known as gradual metamorphosis.