Caterpillar genders

[Pierre Zagatti]

Kenelm Philip wrote:
> 
>         The sex of butterflies is normally determined at conception: a cell
> with two X chromosomes is male, one with one X chromosome is female. How-
> ever, during subsequent cell division an X chromosome can sometimes get
> lost--resulting in gynandromorphs: butterflies which are part male and part
> female.
> 

It is sometimes possible to recognize male caterpillars
since the testes are brightly colored and the skin is translucent.
This is the case for the leek moth (Acrolepiopsis assectella:
Acrolepiidae)
and several Tortricids.

Pierre ZAGATTI
INRA Unite de Phytopharmacie et Mediateurs Chimiques
78026 Versailles Cedex
FRANCE
Tel: (33) 1 30 83 31 18
e-mail zagatti at versailles.inra.fr
http://www.jouy.inra.fr/papillon/