Eur. J. Entomol. 97 (2): 281-283, 2000 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2000.045

Giant sperm in a Neotropical moth Xenosoma geometrina (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Edward H. MORROW
Population and Evolutionary Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Nicholson Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK; e-mail: ehmorrow@liv.ac.uk

The stereotypical sperm is characterised as being tiny but produced in great quantities. However a few species (frequently insects) produce much larger spermatozoa, probably with an associated cost in reduced numbers per ejaculate. Here I present the first evidence that a species within the Lepidoptera also produces giant sperm. It seems likely that given wider sampling this record for the largest sperm produced by a lepidopteran may subsequently be broken.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, Arctiidae, Xenosoma, eupyrene, apyrene, sperm size, sperm competition, Costa Rica

Received: August 9, 1999; Accepted: December 3, 1999; Published: October 7, 2000  Show citation

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MORROW, E.H. (2000). Giant sperm in a Neotropical moth Xenosoma geometrina (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). EJE, 97(2), 281-283. doi: 10.14411/eje.2000.045
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