Giant sperm in a Neotropical moth Xenosoma geometrina (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Abstract

The stereotypical sperm is characterised as being tiny but produced in great quantities. However a few species (frequently insects) produce much larger spermatozoa, probably with an associated cost in reduced numbers per ejaculate. Here I present the first evidence that a species within the Lepidoptera also produces giant sperm. It seems likely that given wider sampling this record for the largest sperm produced by a lepidopteran may subsequently be broken.