hypogynium [FBbt_00004832]

hypogynium

ID: FBbt_00004832

Female abdominal sternite 8 modified for oviposition (McQueen et al., 2022). It consists of paired chitinous valves (left and right) that are anteriorly connected through the hypogynial anteroventral bridge and it posteriorly surrounds the vulva (McQueen et al., 2022). The ventral margin of each valve is strongly sclerotized and contiguous with the hypogynial anteroventral bridge (McQueen et al., 2022). Each valve carries 11-16 marginal and apical teeth on its outer wall and four trichoid apical sensilla on its inner wall, the ventral most of which is the hypogynial long sensillum (McQueen et al., 2022). The dorsal margin of each valve harbors a mid-dorsal incision (McQueen et al., 2022). An imaginary line connecting the hypogynial long sensillum to the hypogynial mid-dorsal incision delimits the borders between the posterior and anterior lobes of each valve (McQueen et al., 2022). The posterior lobe of each valve carries a posterodorsal pouch (McQueen et al., 2022). The anterior lobes of the hypogynial valves are internally connected by the oviprovector (McQueen et al., 2022).