Scanning electron microscopic detection of an unusual giant sensilla on the abdominal cuticle of muga silk worm, Antheraea assama Westwood (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)
✍ Scribed by S Dey
- Book ID
- 104369190
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 1999
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 932 KB
- Volume
- 30
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0968-4328
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✦ Synopsis
Scanning Electron Microscopy of the abdominal cuticle of the fifth instar larva of the muga silk moth, Antheraea assama reveals the presence of some unusual sensilla, showing peculiarities in morphological and surface ultra-structural features. The length of the sensilla and its width at the base as well as at the tip are found to be exceptionally large. Further, the structural features of the sensilla are unusual in the sense that some of its characteristics are similar to those of sensilla trichodea and some to certain specialized sensilla basiconica, but with no complete similarity to any of them. The absence of longitudinal ridges and secondary ridges on the surface suggests that the giant sensilla detected in the muga silk worm is different from sensilla chaetica as well. The presence of pores in the sensilla and the non-flexible nature of its base indicate a chemoreceptive role. Irregular sculpturing in the distal portion, on the other hand, is similar to the olfactory basiconic sensilla reported in other insects by some authors. The unique features of the sensilla suggest its specific involvement in sensory reception relevant to the behaviour of the insect.