Distribution of sensory structures on antennae of female Culex mosquito: A SEM study

Abstract

Female mosquitoes are blood feeders and vectors of many diseases. They search their hosts easily with the help of their sensory structures found on the surface of antennae and mouth parts. They use these structures to sense the chemical cues from the potential hosts. The structure distribution of sensory structures is an area of study since centuries. In the present study the distribution of sensory structures on the mouth parts of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito has been studied using (SEM) Scanning Electron Microscope. The flagellomeres of antennae showed the hair like sensory structures on them. The sensory structures were of various lengths, some seem to be very long and some seem to be short. There were small pit like structures seen on the flagellomeres and the sensory structures were found to be sensilla coeloconica, sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichoidea, sensilla basiconia, sensilla ampullacea on the maxillary palp and antenna of the C. quinquefasciatus.