Ultrastructural Studies on the Oogenesis of the Pine moth, Dendrolimus spectabilis (Lasiocampidae) II. Vitelline Membrane and Chorion Formation

The developing ovarian oocyte of Dendrolimus spectabilis has been studied by using electron microscopical techniques. After yolk formation the vitelline membrane was laid down in the intercellular space between the follicle cell and the oocyte. But before the vitelline membrane formation the granules with high electron density that the vitelline membrane precusor are observed in the follicle cell. At the late vitellogenesis stage these granules were transported into the intercellular space between the follicle cells and the oocyte. These granules fuse to each other and larger bodies which eventually produce the vitelline membrane. The vitelline membrane was distinguished into the light inner and dark outer membrane. Next the chorion was laid down. It was apparent that the chorion was laid down in the intercellular space immediately adjacent to the vitelline membrane, and that it was formed by the follicle cells only.