ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MICROPLITIS-CROCEIPES (CRESSON) (BRACONIDAE, HYMENOPTERA) TERATOCYTES

The developing embryo of the braconid, Microplitis croceipes (Braconidae : Hymenoptera), is encased in an extraembryonic serosal membrane. Hatching of the parasitoid within the larva of its habitual host, Heliothis virescens (Noctuidae Lepidoptera), is initiated about 40 hr after oviposition when held at 25 +/- 2-degrees-C. At this time, the monolayered serosal membrane begins to dissociate into individual cells (teratocytes). After dissociation, teratocytes become dispersed in the hemolymph of the host. The average number of teratocytes released from each parasitoid embryo is 914 +/- 43. Teratocytes average 14.1 +/- 2.4 mum in diameter when first released, and reach a maximum average diameter of 68.1 +/- 4.6 mum 6 days after liberation. Newly released teratocytes have ovoid nuclei, simple mitochondria and a limited number of profiles of the endoplasmic reticulum, all of which indicate relative metabolic inactivity. The ramified nuclei, extensive endoplasmic reticulum, polymorphic mitochondria and accumulation of glycogen granules and lipid droplets observed in older teratocytes provide circumstantial evidence that protein synthesis is occurring. Within hours after dissociation, microvilli begin to cover the surface of the teratocytes. Anatomical deformation (blebs) that occurred on some older (8-day-old) teratocytes probably resulted from enlargement or expansion of microvilli.