Ultrastructural studies on the formation of egg envelopes in fulgoromorphans (Insecta, Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae).

Follicular cells in ecuadorian dictyopharids diversify into two subpopulations: the main body cells (MFs) and cells surrounding the anterior pole of the oocyte (AFs). The synthetic activity of both categories of follicular cells is manifested by the presence of numerous cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes and vacuoles containing electron-dense material in their cytoplasm. The MFs synthesize precursors of the main body chorion, whereas the AFs are responsible for the formation of micropylar apparatus and respiratory tubules. The main body chorion is composed of thin endochorion and exochorion which forms pillar-like projections.