Fig. 1 From A to D: dorsal, ventral, right lateral and posterior views of Rhynchophorous ferrugineus female genitalia, everted by human physiological injection in abdomen. Two sub-conical pouches are clearly visible at ovipositor sides. Fig. 2 From A to C: A drawing from Wattanapongsiri (1966), the Author shows the Vaginal Base (VgB) but neglets the pouches. The same vaginal base cleared and mounted in Essig’s fluid de- monstrate the presence of pouches (red arrows) either in reflected (B) or transmitted (C) light. Spc = Spermatheca Fig. 5 Ventral, dorsal, lateral and frontal micro-CT 3D re- constructed Rhyn- chophorous ferrugi- neus vaginal base and ovipositor. For high resolution micro-CT scans, in- sect's genitalia were preliminarly fixed and dehydrated through critical point drying (CPD). Hitherto undescribed cuticular pouches of RPW female genitalia, recent findings and interpretation attempts C. Porfido1, V. Russo1, F. Garganese1, L. Diana2, F. Nugnes3, F. Porcelli1,2 1 Francesco Porcelli DiSSPA UNIBA Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a - 70126 Bari, Italy; 2 CIHEAM Bari, Via Ceglie 9 - 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy; 3 CNR IPSP, Via Università 133 Portici (NA) DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3956088 Red palm weevil (RPW) infestations menace palms with historical, economic and landscape importance in many regions of the world. Despite human efforts, the pest is still undeterred by actual control ac- tions. Seeking out symbiotic Bacteria repository associated with RPW female reproductive apparatus, we encountered two paired and possibly eversible cone-shaped pouches, which open on both sides of the membranes between the spiculum ventrale and vaginal base. Such structures, never observed previously, can be inflated and everted by injecting and pressuring the weevil with human physiological solu- tion. Study by macrophotography, stereoscopy, bright field light microscopy, SEM and Cryo-SEM showed that the ventral cuticle of the cones is membranous and decorated with minute seta-like processes (microtrichia) plus scarce setae. The dorsal cuticle is somewhat sclerotized, with the exposed side pitted by single or grouped (2-20) apparent duct openings. Such openings should correspond to gland out- lets and are served either by a pore-channelled sieve or by a long ducted end-apparatus on the body side of cuticle. Non-destructive investigations and high-resolution micro computed tomography 3D ob- servations (HR-µ-CT, ~ 400 nm resolution) of resting vaginal base and its content allows the study of the organ interrelationship within the reproductive system, from the common oviduct to ovipositor tip. µ -CT provided very detailed anatomical micrographs of retracted pouches, common oviduct, copulatory pouch, cuticle, and membranes. Muscles are also recognized. These evidences show complex gross anatomy and morphology of the region, persuading to further clarify the possible function of the structure. Keywords: Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Phoenix canariensis, dactylifera, Cocos nucifera, Elaeis guineensis, urban ornamental. Fig 7 The function of such pouches appears unclear but they harbour Mononchoides macrospiculum a phytopathogenic nematodes that was found abundant in several living female trapped in Italy. This nematode is just the last of a serie of RPW-borne organisms as Serratia spp. (Bacteria), Candida spp., Hyphopichia spp. and Curvularia (?) spp.(Fungi); Centrouropoda spp. and Uroobovella spp. (Acari). A and B Micro-CT 3D rendering; C Methylene Blue vital staining light macrog- raphy; D Gram-stained transmitted light microsco- py. Arrows on Mononchoides macrospiculum Fig. 6 3D micro-CT reconstruction of Rhyn- chophorous ferrugineus vaginal base and ovi- positor to show transversal (A) and longitu- dinal (B) virtual section. The introflexed pou- ches are visible (blue arrows). Fig 4 A and B SEM study reveals single or grouped (2-20) apparent ducts inlets and end-apparatus referable to two categories of glands. Fig. 3A Right pouche cleared and mounte