The so-called spermatheca, a sperm reservoir that collects sperm from the male in the course of several matings, connects with the oviduct, through which eggs are carried to the outside. The sperm can remain alive and viable in the fluid medium of the spermatheca for several years.

What is the function of the spermatheca?

In the female insect, the spermatheca is an ectodermal organ responsible for receiving, maintaining, and releasing sperm to fertilize eggs.

What are the advantages of spermatheca in an insect?

... Female insects may store spermatozoa in the spermatheca after mating (Pascini and Martins 2017). The spermatheca protects spermatozoa against mechanical damage and contact with the hemolymph and provides a suitable environment that ensures their nourishment, long-term storage, and viability (Klenk et al.