Lock-and-Key genitalia in insects

Male (left) and female (right) genitalia of a leafhopper Draeculacephala (Homoptera). Copulation requires tail-to-tail apposition: the aedeagus (aed) of the male [left] interdigitates with the valvulae (vlv) of the female [right], shown open and closed [above & below]]. (Figure from Borror et al. 1976)

Text material © 2005 by Steven M. Carr