A receptor sensitive to oviposition site attractants on the antennae of the mosquito,Aedes aegypti

The blunt-tipped sensilla trichodea Type II on the antennae of female Aedes aegypti mosquitos has been found to be specific for the perception of chemical substances associated with the location of a suitable oviposition site by gravid female mosquitos. The chemosensory neurons associated with the sensilla respond to substances reported in the literature to be oviposition attractants; this response is characterized by an increase in spike frequency proportional to the intensity of the stimulus. Comparison of neurophysiological data with behavioral results reported in the literature suggests that the two sets of data are correlated.     

Influence of blood meal on the responsiveness of olfactory receptor neurons in antennal sensilla trichodea of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

In female Aedes aegypti L. mosquitoes, a blood meal induces physiological and behavioral changes. Previous studies have shown that olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) housed in grooved peg sensilla on the antennae of Ae. aegypti down-regulate their sensitivity to lactic acid, a key component driving host-seeking behavior, which correlates with observed changes in the host-seeking behavior of this species. In the present study, we performed electrophysiological recordings from the most abundant antennal sensillum type, sensilla trichodea. Our results indicate that the response spectra of ORNs contained within most trichoid sensilla do not change in response to blood feeding. However, we observe an increase in sensitivity to primarily indole and phenolic compounds in neurons housed within four of the five functional types of short blunt tipped II trichoid sensilla, both at 24 and 72 h post-blood feeding, which was more pronounced at 24 h than 72 h. Furthermore, sensitivity to undecanone, acetic acid and propionic acid was observed to increase 72 h post-blood meal. Considering the timing of these changes, we believe that these neurons may be involved in driving the orientation behavior of female mosquitoes to oviposition sites, which are known to release these compounds.     

Antennal sensilla of male and female Telenomus reynoldsi gordh and coker (Hymenoptera : Scelionidae)

Sensilla on the antennae of both sexes of Telenomus reynoldsi (Hymenoptera : Scelionidae) were studied with the scanning electron microscope to determine their structure and possible function in mating and host recognition. Two types of setiform sensilla occur: curved, grooved sensilla trichodea and erect, stout sensilla chaetica. Horn-like sensilla trichodea curvata are abundant on the male antennae, but are less abundant and only present dorsally on the female. Sensilla basiconica are unique to the ventral surface of the apical 4 segments of the female antennae. Sensilla styloconica are located on A4 and A10 of the female and A7 and A9 of the male. Multiporous grooved sensilla are present on A4, A6, and A11 of the female and A4 and A6-A11 of the male. A possible sex gland is located on the venter of A5 of the male. The functions of sensilla trichodea curvata and sensilla basiconica in courtship and host recognition, respectively, are hypothesized by correlation with behavioral observations.     

Antennal sensilla in adult Agathiphaga vitiensis dumbl. and A. queenslandensis dumbl. (Lepidoptera : Agathiphagidae)

The antennae of both sexes of Agathiphaga vitiensis and the antenna of the female of A. queenslandensis (Lepidoptera : Agathiphagidae) were studied with a scanning electron microscope. In both sexes, 10 types of sensilla were observed on the antennae of A. vitiensis: Böhm's bristles, chaetica (types I and II), squamiformia, trichodea, biforked basiconica, short basiconica and coeloconica (types I, II and III). The female of A. queenslandensis possesses the same types of sensilla, except that the biforked basiconica are flattened. Biforked sensillum basiconicum is being reported in Lepidoptera for the first time. Their presence supports Kristensen's hypothesis on the phylogeny of Lepidoptera (1984). The female of A. vitiensis possesses more sensilla than that of A. queenslandensis. The male of A. vitiensis has a greater number of s. trichodea than the female, but the biforked sensilla basiconica are more numerous on the female antenna than on the male one.     

属模巨齿蛉成虫感器的超微形态

为了解属模巨齿蛉成虫多个部位感器的超微结构及其对生命活动的影响,本文对属模巨齿蛉成虫的触角、大颚、翅缘和生殖器4个部位进行了电镜扫描。研究发现,触角有7种感器,分别是毛形感器Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型、Ⅳ型、腔锥感器、锥形感器、柱形感器;大颚有3种感器,分别是腔锥感器、锥形感器、刺形感器;翅缘有4种感器,分别是毛形感器Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型、Ⅳ型、腔锥感器;雌性成虫生殖器有7种感器,分别是毛形感器Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型、Ⅳ型、Ⅴ型、Ⅵ型、锥形感器、钟形感器。柱形感器是触角的特殊感器,钟形感器是雌性成虫生殖器的特殊感器。毛形感器是触角、翅缘和生殖器主要感器,而大颚上没有毛形感器。触角和生殖器上的感器类型最多,且分布最密集,这与触角和生殖器对成虫的交配、产卵行为具有重要作用相吻合。     

Antennal sensilla of the click beetle,limonius aeruginosus (OLIVIER) (COLEOPTERA: ELATERIDAE)

Antennal sensilla typology, number and distribution of the click beetle Limonius aeruginosus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Elateridae) were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The serrate antennae of both sexes of L. aeruginosus consist of the scape, pedicel and of the flagellum which is composed of 9 flagellomeres. In both sexes, 5 types of sensilla basiconica, 1 type of sensilla trichodea, 1 type of sensilla chaetica, 1 type of sensilla campaniformia and Böhm sensilla were distinguished. No remarkable sexual differences in the types, numbers and distribution of sensilla were found on the antennae, except for the sensilla basiconica type II. The average number of sensilla basiconica type II on the antennae of the male beetle surpassed that on the antennae of the female beetle (3562 and 108 pegs, respectively). It is suggested that this type of sensilla on the male beetles antennae is responsible for the reception of the sex pheromone produced by the female beetle.     

Sensitivities of antennal olfactory neurons of the malaria mosquito,Anopheles gambiae,to carboxylic acids

Single sensillum recordings on the antennae of female Anopheles gambiae s.s. mosquitoes revealed neurons sensitive to aliphatic carboxylic acids within (a) subtype(s) sensilla trichodea. The aliphatic acids, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, iso-butyric acid and iso-valeric acid evoked an inhibition reaction in one of the cell types recorded from. A different cell type was excited in response to the former aliphatic acids, but showed a broader range of sensitivity, as acids with a longer carbon chain length, like caproic acid, elicited excitations as well. In addition, occasionally 1-octen-3-ol elicited an excitation reaction. This article focuses on the carboxylic acid inhibited cell type and its temporal pattern of response to different doses of the compounds. Furthermore, in order to compare the stimulatory effectiveness of the compounds on a per molecule basis, corrections were made for differences in volatility by determining the absolute number of molecules in the stimulus puff.     

Sensilla of the antennal flagellum in Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Seven sensilla were observed on the antennal flagellum of both sexes of Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae): chaetica Type I and Type II), styloconica, coeloconica, trichodea (Type 1a, b, c and Type II a, b), auricillica, nonporous and squamiformia. The major sexual dimorphism noted was the presence of Type la trichodea on the male antennae, suggesting that this sensillum may contain the receptor sites for the female sex pheromone. Differences in the size of sensilla coeloconica, auricillica and trichodea (Types Ib, IIb) were noted between sexes, being larger in females. Adults obtained from larvae fed on artificial diet generally had longer antennae and sensilla than those fed on young oat plants.     

斑鞘豆叶甲触角感器的超微结构

斑鞘豆叶甲是大豆苗期重要害虫,本文利用扫描电镜技术观察了斑鞘豆叶甲触角感器超微形态与分布。结果表明:斑鞘豆叶甲触角感器绝大部分着生于鞭节,在鞭亚节端部和末节凹陷区感器分布密集,类型较多。基于感器外部形态可分为8种类型:毛形感器Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型、刺形感器、锥形感器、指形感器、腔锥形感器、栓锥形感器Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型、钟形感器和B hm氏鬃毛。其中毛形感器数量最多,其次是锥形感器,钟形感器最少,仅分布于雄虫触角,还着生有大量表皮孔。雌、雄虫触角感器在形态、数量和分布上均存在差异,雄虫毛形和刺形感器显著长于雌虫,刺形感器端部膨大,两种感器的数量也明显多于雌虫;雌虫与雄虫相比末节背面也具感器密集的凹陷区,指形感器短于雄虫但数量显著多于雄虫。斑鞘豆叶甲触角感器种类丰富,分布密集,雌、雄虫感器存在明显的性二型现象,其结构和类型表现出种间分化特性。     

Mate recognition and antennal morphology of Octodonta nipae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults

The nipa palm hispid beetle, Octodonta nipae (Maulik) has been killing palm trees since its introduction into Hainan province, China, from Malaysia in 2001. It continues to spread within Hainan province, northeast to Fujian province, and northwest to Yunnan province within China. Knowledge on signals involved in mate location and recognition could help develop effective integrated pest management programs. In the present study, we first experimentally proved that antennae were essential in success of O. nipae mating. We then excised various segments/flagellomeres of adult male and female antennae and observed their mating behavior. Results revealed that the 5th to 9th flagellomeres, especially those of males, were important for the mating success. Finally, in an attempt to elucidate the types of antennal sensilla accountable for the mating success, morphology of O. nipae antennae was studied in detail with scanning electron microscopy. Six types of sensilla were distinguished: aporous sensilla trichodea (T1), multiporous sensilla trichodea (T2), aporous sensilla chaetica (Ch1), uniporous sensilla chaetica (Ch2), multiporous sensilla basiconica (B), and Böhm sensilla (Bm). Aporous sensilla trichodea is the most abundant; multiporous sensilla trichodea and sensilla basiconica are considered as olfactory receptors, and uniporous sensilla chaetica as gustatory receptor. Importance of flagellomeres 5–9 in mating success seemed to correspond to the abundance of sensilla on these segments.     

亚洲玉米螟成虫触角的扫描电镜观察

对亚洲玉米螟成虫触角的外部形态结构在扫描电镜下作了观察.触角由柄节、梗节和62—67个鞭节组成,触角背面被鳞片覆盖,绝大部分触角感器位于触角的腹面和侧面.所有鞭节的表皮上都有连续的网纹结构,但在柄节和梗节的表皮上则无.在雌雄蛾的触角上都可以找到以下七种感器,即栓锥感器、腔锥感器、锥形感器(即B?hm氏鬃毛)、刺形感器、耳形惑器、鳞形感器和毛形感器.毛形感器数目最多,并根据其形状和表面细微结构分为两种类型:A型和B型.除锥形感器外,所有的感器都分布在触角鞭节的网纹区上.对此昆虫的触角两性差异进行了详细的讨论.     

红火蚁触角及其上感受器的扫描电镜观察

应用扫描电镜对采自我国广东吴川和广西南宁的红火蚁Solenopsis invicta Buren工蚁、有翅雌蚁和雄蚁触角的形态和感受器类型进行了研究。结果表明,工蚁、雌蚁和雄蚁的触角存在着较大的差异。工蚁和雌蚁的触角为膝状,末端2或3节膨大为棒状,雌蚁的触角11节,比工蚁(10节)的多1节。雄蚁的触角为线状,12节,末端没有棒状结构。工蚁和雌蚁的触角上共有7种感受器,分别为毛形、曲毛形、锥形、腔锥形、坛形、刺形感受器和Böhm氏鬃毛,前6种感受器大多集中在触角末端的棒节,棒节以外的各鞭节上主要是毛形感受器,Böhm氏鬃毛则分布于柄节和梗节的基部,鞭节上无此感受器。雄蚁触角上也有7种感受器,但其分布与工蚁的有较大差异,Böhm氏鬃毛的分布与工蚁和雌蚁的相同,锥形感受器分布在末端2节,坛形感受器分布在末端3节,其余的4种感受器较为均匀地分布在各鞭节,而不是聚集在端节。另外,新发现雄蚁中存在一种与已知的毛型感受器不同的超短毛状感受器,定名为超短毛感受器。最后,对红火蚁的触角及感受器在蚁群社会性行为中的作用进行了讨论。     

Olfactory receptors on the antennae of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae are sensitive to ammonia and other sweat-borne components

Electrophysiological studies on female An. gambiae s.s. mosquitoes revealed a receptor neuron within a subpopulation of the antennal grooved-peg sensilla sensitive to the odour of incubated sweat, but not responding to fresh sweat. This receptor neuron was sensitive to ammonia as well, a sweat-borne component which attracts female An. gambiae in a windtunnel bioassay. Neurons innervating a different subpopulation of grooved-peg sensilla did not show a response to incubated sweat. In the latter sensilla, however, one type of neuron responded to water or water containing solutions, while another receptor neuron was inhibited when stimulated with dry air, ether or ethanol. Neurons innervating sensilla trichodea, a more abundant antennal type of olfactory sensillum, did not respond to fresh or incubated sweat at the doses offered. However, receptor neurons within the sensilla trichodea responded with excitation to several sweat-borne components. A subpopulation of the sensilla trichodea was innervated by neurons sensitive to geranyl acetone. A second subpopulation housed receptor neurons sensitive to indole. 3-Methyl-1-butanol and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one evoked excitation of receptor neurons within both subpopulations of sensilla trichodea. Neurons were most sensitive to indole and geranyl acetone with a threshold of 0.01%. These findings are discussed in the context of host-seeking behaviour.     

六斑月瓢虫触角及感觉器扫描电镜观察

[目的] 明确六斑月瓢虫雌雄成虫触角感觉器种类、分布及形态特征。[方法] 利用扫描电子显微镜对六斑月瓢虫雌、雄成虫触角形态及触角感受器超微结构进行观察。[结果] 六斑月瓢虫成虫触角由柄节、梗节和鞭节组成,柄节长度与宽度显著大于梗节长度与宽度;鞭节分为9个亚节,末端3节横向膨大呈锤状。雌雄成虫触角上共有8种感觉器:刺形感觉器(SC)、毛形感觉器(ST)、锥形感觉器(SB)、腔形感觉器(CaS)、钟形感觉器(CS)、哑铃形感觉器(DS)、香肠形感觉器(SS)及B?hm氏鬃毛感觉器(BB)。以毛形感觉器和刺形感觉器分布最广,遍布触角;B?hm氏鬃毛仅存在于触角柄节与梗节;触角鞭节第9亚节顶端密布7种触角感觉器。六斑月瓢虫雌雄成虫触角长度、触角感觉器类型及分布无显著差异。[结论] 六斑月瓢虫成虫触角上共有8种感觉器,其触角可能具有感知机械刺激、识别化学信息素及感受温湿度变化的作用。本研究为进一步了解六斑月瓢虫触角与其行为间的关系提供基础资料。     

Atlas of olfactory organs of Drosophila melanogaster: 1. Types,external organization,innervation and distribution of olfactory sensilla

The third antennal segment (funiculus) and the maxillary palp are the main and accessory olfactory sense organs of Drosophila melanogaster. Cryofixed antennae and palps revealed a superior preservation of the sensory dendrites and other cellular details as compared to conventional chemical fixation. Extensive cross-section series through funiculus and palp were studied in order to obtain as complete an evaluation as possible of the sensillar complement on these appendages. About 75% of all sensilla on the male and female funiculus were individually studied and their position on the antennal surface mapped. Dimensions of the cuticular apparatus of the various types of sensilla are provided as well as the number of innervating receptor neurons. Particular attention has been paid to the cuticular pores important for stimulus transport and to the sensory dendrites. On the funiculus surface, all sensilla have multiple wall pores: sensilla (s.) trichodea and s. basiconica are single-walled, s. coeloconica are double-walled. The distribution of s. trichodea and s. basiconica follows opposing gradients along a diagonal axis parallel to the axis of the arista from proximo-medial to disto-lateral. In this disto-lateral direction the density of s. trichodea increases while that of the s. basiconica decreases. S. trichodea occur in three subtypes with one, two or three receptor neurons. Basiconic sensilla can be subdivided into three subtypes of large s. basiconica (with two or four receptor neurons), three subtypes of thin s. basiconica (with mostly two, rarely four neurons), and one subtype of small s. basiconica with two receptor neurons. Large s. basiconica occur only in the most proximal region (the ‘LB-zone’); thin s. basiconica are most common in a belt that borders the LB-zone distally, while small s. basiconica are most numerous even further distally along the mentioned diagonal axis in between the s. trichodea. S. intermedia are single-walled, multiporous sensilla which combine features of s. trichodea and s. basiconica; they are found in two subtypes with two or three receptor neurons, in the same region where s. trichodea abound. The s. coeloconica are irregularly distributed over the funicular surface, and occur in two subtypes with two or three receptor neurons. Sexual dimorphism on the antenna is moderate, the female funiculus is a bit longer and carries a larger number of small s. basiconica and large s. basiconica of the LB-I subtype; the male funiculus, however, has more s. trichodea than the female. On the maxillary palp, besides mechanoreceptive s. chaetica, there are only s. basiconica with two receptor neurons. According to the fine structure of their sensory dendrites, three subtypes can be discriminated which are distributed in a random pattern. The functional significance of the described structures and distribution awaits future immunocytochemical and electrophysiological experiments.     

Unusual pheromone receptor neuron responses in heliothine moth antennae derived from inter-species imaginal disc transplantation

Single-cell electrophysiological recordings were obtained from olfactory receptor neurons housed in sensilla trichodea along the adult antennae arising from transplantation of the antennal imaginal discs between larval male Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens. The olfactory receptor neurons from the majority of type C sensilla sampled on transplanted antennae displayed response characteristics consistent with those of the species that donated the antennae. However, some of the sensilla type C sampled in either transplant type contained olfactory receptor neurons that responded in a manner typical of the recipient species or other neurons that have not previously been found in the type C sensilla of either species. The single-cell data help to explain behavioral results showing that some transplant males do fly upwind to both species' pheromone blends, an outcome not expected based on known antennal sensory phenotypes. Our results suggest that host tissue can influence antennal olfactory receptor neuron development, and further that because of a common phylogenetic ancestry the donor tissue has the genetic capability to produce a variety of sensillar and receptor types.     

中红侧沟茧蜂触角感受器的扫描电镜观察

利用扫描电镜对中红侧沟茧蜂Microplitis mediator的触角感受器进行了观察,发现了6个类型的感器,分别为毛形感器、板形感器、刺形感器、钟形感器、锥形感器、腔锥形感器。其中,毛形感器具有2种形态,锥形感器具有4种形态。钟形感器仅分布于雌蜂的触角上,锥形感器Ⅲ和Ⅳ仅分布于雄蜂的触角上。结合感受器的形态、分布和已报道的触角电位反应数据,对各感受器的功能进行了推测。     

Morphology and distribution of sensilia on the cephalic appendages,tarsi and ovipositor of the European sunflower moth,Homoeosoma nebulella Den. & Schiff. (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

Sensilla on male and female antennae, mouthparts, tarsi and on the ovipositor of the European sunflower moth, Homoeosoma nebulella (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) have been investigated by means of scanning electron microscope. The antennal flagellum bears multiporous sensilla (trichodea, basiconica, auricillica, coeloconica) and uniporous sensilla (chaetica, styloconica). A sexual dimorphism is found in the numbers of sensilla trichodea (8300 in males and 6000 in females) and sensilla basiconica (1150 in females and 650 in males). The proboscis has uniporous s. styloconica, multiporous s. basiconica (described for the first time in Lepidoptera), aporous s. chaetica, and some rare uniporous s. basiconica in the food channel. The labial palp-pit organ houses multiporous s. coeloconica, while the maxillary palps have aporous sensilla. Tarsi of both sexes possess one type of aporous s. chaetica and 2 types of uniporous s. chaetica. There is no significant difference in the distribution of tarsal sensilla between males and females. The surface of each lobe of the ovipositor is covered by 3 types of aporous s. trichodea of different lengths and about 60 multiporous s. basiconica, sensilla unusual on the ovipositor of Lepidoptera. The role of sensilla in the oviposition site selection is discussed.     

Functional morphology of antennal chemoreceptors of the parasitoid Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The specialist parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), uses chemical cues from plants damaged by herbivore-feeding and also plant by-products in host location and acceptance. These chemicals are detected by the wasp's antennae. We conducted scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies of male and female M. croceipes antennae and detected no distinct morphological differences in the chemoreceptors between the sexes. Male antennae are approximately twice as long as female antennae. We found five morphological sensillar types in both sexes: sensilla (s) trichodea were the most abundant and distributed over the whole antenna; s. chaetica were present in low numbers only on the scape and pedicel; and s. basiconica, s. coeloconica and elongated s. placodea were found only on the flagellum. Ultrastructural investigations revealed pore systems on s. basiconica and s. placodea. In s. placodea, sensory neurons run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensilla with terminal pores. We recorded responses from single olfactory receptor neurons in s. placodea to two plant-emitted volatiles, cis-3-hexenol and ocimene, and two anthropogenic compounds, cyclohexanone and 2-diisopropylaminoethanol. Male receptor neurons were more sensitive than those of females with significantly higher spike frequency being registered from neurons in males.     

Gall midge olfaction: Pheromone sensitive olfactory neurons in Contarinia nasturtii and Mayetiola destructor

This study describes the morphology and function of the antennal sensilla in two gall midge species, Contarinia nasturtii and Mayetiola destructor, where multi-component sex pheromones have been identified. Both species possess sensilla trichodea, s. coeloconica, s. chaetica and s. circumfila. Sensilla circumfila, which consist of several sensilla that bifurcate and fuse into one structure, are unique for the gall midges. In C. nasturtii s. circumfila are sexually dimorphic. In males, they form elongated loops suspended on cuticular spines, whereas in females they run like worm-like structures directly on the antennal surface. Single sensillum recordings demonstrated that olfactory sensory neurons housed in male s. circumfila in C. nasturtii responded to the female sex pheromone. In M. destructor, s. circumfila were attached to the antennal surface in both sexes, and displayed no response to sex pheromone components.A sexual dimorphism was also found in the number of s. trichodea per antennal segment in both C. nasturtii (male 1 vs. female 7) and M. destructor (male 13 vs. female 10). OSNs located in male M. destructor s. trichodea responded to the sex pheromone. This is the first gall midge single sensillum study, and the first demonstration of the functional significance of s. circumfila.