adenotrophic

Adenotrophic is an adjective used in biology, particularly entomology, to describe a mode of viviparity in which an embryo or larva is nourished by secretions produced by maternal glands, rather than by yolk or by tissue-derived nutrients. The term derives from Greek aden- meaning gland and -trophic meaning nourishing.

In this form of reproduction, the female retains the developing offspring within the uterus and provides nourishment through glandular secretions, often referred to as milk, produced by specialized accessory glands. The developing young are typically deposited as a fully formed larva or pupal stage, rather than as eggs, which can enhance offspring survival in certain environments by providing continuous provisioning and protection during development.

The best-known example is the tsetse fly (Glossina spp.), where a single larva matures in utero while feeding on milk secretions, and the female gives birth to a live larva that immediately pupates in the environment. This strategy constrains the number of offspring per reproductive cycle but can improve survival under specific ecological conditions. Adenotrophic viviparity is contrasted with histotrophic viviparity, in which nourishment comes from maternal tissues or uterine secretions not produced as a specialized milk.

In summary, adenotrophic describes gland-fed nourishment during intrauterine development, a key example of maternal provisioning that underpins certain distinctive reproductive strategies in insects such as tsetse flies.