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Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia in host‐seeking biting midges
Author(s) -
URBANEK A.,
PIOTROWICZ M.,
SZADZIEWSKI R.,
GI ŁKA W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/mve.12057
Subject(s) - biology , ceratopogonidae , zoology , bristle , seta , anatomy , genus , brush , electrical engineering , engineering
The distribution and morphology of antennal sensilla coeloconica in parasitic and predaceous biting midges were studied in females of Forcipomyia (feeding on the blood of frogs), Atrichopogon (feeding on haemolymph), Austroconops , Culicoides (feeding on the blood of birds and mammals) and Brachypogon (feeding on haemolymph and dissolved tissues of insects) (all: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). A L ower C retaceous female of Archiculicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from L ebanese amber, which fed on the blood of unknown vertebrates, was also examined. In sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia, the peg is grooved longitudinally and protrudes distinctly from the pit. We suggest that the microtrichia encircling the protruding peg form a structure resembling a picket fence in order to maintain a higher level of humidity, which facilitates the capture and transport of odour molecules through the channels in the peg wall. Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia function as very effective chemoreceptors in host‐ and prey‐seeking activity. During the evolution of C eratopogonidae, sensilla coeloconica with a fence of microtrichia have evolved twice in groups feeding on the blood of vertebrates (i.e. in the basal lineage: L ower C retaceous or earlier) and in the subgenus Lasiohelea of Forcipomyia ( P alaeogene). Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia are described for the first time in the relict genus Austroconops .