Microscopic and molecular characterization of ovarian follicle atresia in Rhodnius prolixus Stahl under immune challenge

► We characterized ovary degeneration of Rhodnius prolixus during fungal infection. ► The infected animals showed no effect on host lifespan but a net reduction in egg batch size. ► Light microscopy showed an atretic profile with follicle shrinkage and ooplasm alteration. ► Electron microscopy showed a programmed cell death on follicles (apoptosis and autophagy). ► The ovary atresia involved protease activation which degraded yolk protein content.