Biodiversity in honey bees: Scanning electron microscopic analysis of antenna of plain and hill populations of Apis cerana F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

Antenna of honey bees is geniculate and has been known to possess a wide variety of sensilla. The sensilla are sensitive to odor, temperature, humidity, air pressure and gustatory stimuli. The antennal form as well as the sensilla arrangement has been suggested to be adapted to the pheromone perception need of a particular species. Electron microscopy is today considered an important tool in elucidating the external morphological details of diverse biological material. In the present investigations, ultrastructural study on the antenna of plains and hill populations of Apis cerana F. was taken into account. Studies revealed differences at electron microscopic level in the antennal morphology and types and distribution of sensilla on the antenna in different populations of honey bees.