Singh O P, Gangrade G A
Z Mikrosk Anat Forsch. 1976;90(3):540-4.
The morphological and histological structure of the ventral exocrine gland of the larva of the tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera (Prodenia) litura (Fab.) is shown. The proximal region of the gland is capable of protrusion through the prothoracic sternal slit as an elongate organ reaching upto the spinneret. The middle region of the gland shows characteristic giant cells in only one of the walls of the epithelium, while the distal region shows a thin flat epithelium with small round closely situated nuclei resting against the tunica propria. The gland probably secretes a gummy fluid for larval movements rather than a stinking odourous fluid for defense.
展示了烟草天蛾幼虫（斜纹夜蛾）腹侧外分泌腺的形态和组织结构。该腺体的近端区域能够作为一个细长器官穿过前胸腹板裂缝，延伸至吐丝器。腺体中间区域仅在上皮细胞的一层壁中显示出特征性的巨型细胞，而远端区域则显示出一层薄而扁平的上皮细胞，小而圆的细胞核紧密排列，紧贴固有膜。该腺体可能分泌一种用于幼虫移动的粘性液体，而非用于防御的恶臭液体。
