Sexual dimorphism of antennal,tarsal and ovipositor chemosensilla in the African stemborer,Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) |
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Authors: | Paul-André Calatayud Mathayo Chimtawi Bruno Le Rü |
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Affiliation: | 1. IRD, UR 072, c/o ICIPE, Noctuid Stem Borers Biodiversity Project , PO Box 30772, Nairobi , Kenya pcalatayud@icipe.org;3. ICIPE , PO Box 30772, Nairobi , Kenya;4. IRD, UR 072, c/o ICIPE, Noctuid Stem Borers Biodiversity Project , PO Box 30772, Nairobi , Kenya |
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Abstract: | The number and distribution of chemosensilla located on different organs of Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) males and females are described based on observations using scanning electron microscopy, selective staining with silver nitrate, and gustatory electrophysiological recording. The antennae and the fifth tarsomere of the prothoracic legs of both sexes bear chemosensilla: uniporous chaetica and multiporous trichoidea sensilla. However, there is a sexual dimorphism in the number and size of sensilla on these organs. The distal part of the ovipositor has uniporous gustatory chemosensilla of the chaetica type. The involvement of these sensilla in oviposition site selection by B. fusca is discussed. |
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Keywords: | Stem borer host-plant selection scanning electron microscopy gustatory electrophysiological recording Africa |
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