The effects of cutting gonapophyses were evaluated on the ovarian response two or four days after amputation in imaginai molt decapitated femalesBlaberus craniifer.Sites binding anti‐egg protein antibodies were detected in the periphery of basal oocytes in 68% operated females. In headlessBlaberus craniifer,the onset of vitellogenesis which is triggered by extraphysiological doses of juvenile hormone or indolamines, was induced by this surgical procedure. It is suggested that amputation of gonapophyses affects the delivery of natural messengers inducing vitellogenesis at physiological concentration.