Description of spermatheca and eggs of Eurygaster austriaca (Schrank, 1778) (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), based on optical and scanning electron microscopy

Spermatheca and egg morphology of Eurygaster austriaca (Schrank, 1778) were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The spermatheca of E. austriaca is characterized by a spermathecal bulb, a pumping region, distal and proximal flanges and ducts, and a genital chamber. Each female was shown to deposit 14 green eggs on average in mass. The spherical eggs averaged 1.05 ± 0.05 mm in diameter. The first external evidence of embryonic development was the appearance of 2 red eye spots opposite each other beneath operculum followed by the appearance of a blackish T-shaped egg-burster between the eye spots. The thickened highly sclerotized egg-burster has sucker-shaped structures on the both sides of the tail. Egg surfaces are covered with clearly marked polygon patterns with tubercles. There were 17-19 aero-micropylar processes shaped like truncated cones scattered among the polygons.