Ultrastructure of the Eggs Chorion of Ceraleptus obtusus (Brulle, 1839) (Heteroptera: Coreidae)

Abstract

The eggs of Ceraleptus obtusus were studied with light and scanning electron microscope. The females were collected from the Sinekci mountain pass of Kas (Antalya, Turkey) and maintained under laboratory conditions. The oval shaped eggs averaged 1.35 mm in length and 0.74 mm in width. The eggs were dark brown and mat. The egg chorion surface showed a chorionic pattern resulting in irregular hexagonal patterns. There were 18-19 short pipe micropylar projections mounted at the anterior pole. The egg burster was a chitinous and sclerotized structure. Examination of a cross section of the chorion showed that it was composed of three layers.