ABSTRACT
The first events in oogenesis include mitosis, the onset of meiosis, and ovariole differentiation. In the panoistic ovary, all oogonia are transformed to oocytes, whereas in the meroistic type oogonia generate both oocytes and nurse cells. The main reproductive events in females are sex determination, gonial mitoses and meioses, differentiation of the reproductive organs, previtellogenesis and vitellogenesis, accessory gland functioning, sexual behavior, mating, ovulation, and oviposition. It is the function of the female reproductive tract to produce the eggs and to deposit them at an appropriate time and in an appropriate place. The secretory material of the ductal system may act as a lubricant for egg passage, as protective oothecal coverings, or as glues to attach eggs to various substrates or to hold batches of eggs together. The morphology of the organs specialized for copulation and oviposition is highly varied. Insects have become particularly adept in manufacturing large numbers of oocytes within the ovary.
