Structure of female genitalia of glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

The functional reproductive morphology of the female glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say), is described at both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy levels. The female has nine abdominal segments; the seventh to the ninth abdominal segments are modified for reproduction; the eighth tergite is reduced to two segments, with the ovipositor partially exposed from the modified ninth segment—the pygofer. The pygofer, covered with trichoid and coeloconic sensilla, almost completely encloses the ovipositor, which consists of three pairs of valvulae and two pairs of valvifers. The first and second valvulae function together for oviposition. The first valvulae are located exterior to the second valvulae, both of which bear many trichoid, campaniform, and coeloconic sensilla. The third valvulae, possessing many coeloconic sensilla, envelope the first and second valvulae. Seven major muscles are found to be associated with the ovipositor and the pygofer. The oviposition process is described with respect to the activity of the valvulae and their associated musculature. The female morphology follows the general pattern of cicadellids as a group.