aedeagus

insect anatomy

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

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The aedeagus is the intromittent organ of a male insect, essentially its phallus. It is used to transfer sperm bundles directly into the female's reproductive tract during copulation. In some insect species, the male may form a spermatophore, a capsule containing sperm, which is then inserted into the female's vagina. The aedeagus is a key component of the male insect's reproductive system, and the term "aedeagal" refers to anything related to this structure.1234

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apterygote
Life cycle
However, the aedeagus in males is used to deposit sperm drops and not as a copulative organ. The deposition and pickup of sperm drops in Zygentoma and Archaeognatha must take place during each adult stage if young are to be produced since the contents of the female…
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However, the aedeagus in males is used to deposit sperm drops and not as a copulative organ. The deposition and pickup of sperm drops in Zygentoma and Archaeognatha must take place during each adult stage if young are to be produced since the contents of the female…
Read More

insect
Reproductive system
…the male copulatory organ, or aedeagus. Secretions from the accessory glands of the female activate the sperm, the sperm bundles disperse, and the free spermatozoa make their way up to the receptaculum seminis, or spermatheca, where they are stored, ready to fertilize the eggs. In most insects, the male accessory…
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…the male copulatory organ, or aedeagus. Secretions from the accessory glands of the female activate the sperm, the sperm bundles disperse, and the free spermatozoa make their way up to the receptaculum seminis, or spermatheca, where they are stored, ready to fertilize the eggs. In most insects, the male accessory…
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Lepidoptera
Abdomen and genitalia
…a median tubular organ (the aedeagus) is extended through an eversible sheath (vesica) to inseminate the female. These structures are derived evolutionarily from parts of segments 8 and 10 and from vestiges of abdominal appendages.
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…a median tubular organ (the aedeagus) is extended through an eversible sheath (vesica) to inseminate the female. These structures are derived evolutionarily from parts of segments 8 and 10 and from vestiges of abdominal appendages.
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