Electron microscopic study of light muscle degeneration in queens of Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae.

The reabsorption of the flight muscles of A. sexdens queens was studied just after the autotomy of the wings, and 1,10,15,25 and 45 days thereafter. The muscle cells degenerate slowly, the first alterations taking place in the mitochondria and sarcoplasm. Signs of degeneration appear in the myofibrils after only 10 days and alterations increase with time. After 45 days the myofibrils have completely disintegrated.