Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2009
The choriothete in Glossina austeni Newst. and G. morsitans Westw. was studied from serial sections of females, from dissected material and whole mounts of eggs and larvae. The choriothete cells are secretory and, while an embryo or first-instar larva is attached to it, are not stretched. The external muscles dilate the uterus or support the uterus and embryo. There is no sign of major folding or muscular tension during dechorionation of the egg. It is concluded, in contrast to recent work, that the choriothete is an organ for the support of developing embryos. Hatching of the first-instar larvae is probably achieved by means of a labral egg tooth.