[Variations in the structure of the abdominal cuticle of Tenebrio molitor L]

The ultrastructure of the adult abdominal cuticle of Tenebrio is described and special attention is given to the intersegmental zone in which the cuticle presents several architectural types, i.e. helicoidal, preferred and 'plywood' cuticle (Neville's terminology). This architectural polymorphism of the adult cuticle contrasts with the uniformity of larval and pupal cuticle architecture, which is entirely helicoidal.