Abstract

Insect oocytes are enveloped by the follicular epithelium which is simple and cuboidal, of which main functions are the synthesis of vitellin membrane and chorion as well as synthesis and transport of hemolymph products. In Neoponera villosa ants workers aged less than 10 days do not present any form of ovarian follicles (oocytes nurse cells and follicular cells)  indicating that vitellogenesis starts at approximately 10 days for age. Studies made on the participation of the follicular epithelium in Neoponera villosa showed that in Stage I the epithelium does not present the opening of intercellular spaces. In Stage II these paces together with the separation of the follicular epithelium from the Oocyte surface were observed. In Stage III two types of material were seen in the intercellular spaces; electrodense material in the basal region and compacted material in the apical area as well as in follicular epithelium/oocytes interface thus may suggest that the extra ovarian material which reaches oocytes had some modification during passage through the intercellular spaces. It was
also noted that the follicular epithelium spaces in the oocytes of the queen are bigger than in those of workers.