The Salivary Glands of Aedes Aegypti Histological–histochemical Studies

The maturation of the salivary glands in adult mosquitoes was studied from histological preparations. A striking sexual dimorphism in the glands apparently reflects the blood-feeding habits of the female. The glands of the female undergo a dramatic development, following emergence, whereas those of the male remain small and show little change. Three main regions of secretory activity differentiate in the female: the necks and the acini proper of the lateral lobes and the acinus of the central lobe. These areas are characterized by histochemical criteria. A cycle of secretory activity occurs after ingestion of blood. The possible functions of the secretion products are discussed.