A gland associated with the male or female reproductive system, and producing substances associated with the sperm or eggs, respectively. Male accessory glands produce such substances to facilitate sperm transfer, as a barrier to further insemination, as a means of altering female behavior, and as a means of providing nutrition to the female. Females produce substances for packaging their eggs, adhering them to a substrate, and providing a protective coating over the eggs.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Springer
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2004). Accessory Gland. In: Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48380-7_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48380-7_19
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-8670-4
Online ISBN: 978-0-306-48380-6
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences