Morphological Studies on the Antennal Sensilla of the Onion Fly, Hylemya antiqua Meigen (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Abstract

Sensilla on the antennae of onion fly were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. On the scape and the pedicel only mechanoreceptive sensilla were found, whereas on the surface of the funicle trichoid sensilla, basiconic sensilla, grooved sensilla, and clavate sensilla were found. All of these were considered to have olfactory function. In a large olfactory pit, grooved sensilla, smooth-walled pit sensilla, and striated pit sensilla were found. The first sensilla were also considered to be olfactory, but the functions of the last two were not clear. In small olfactory pits, only basiconic sensilla with peculiar elongate surface pores were found. This characteristic in pore shape has not been reported in other fly species. These sensilla were also considered olfactory. Each type differed in its distribution on the funicle. These results were compared with previously published studies on several other species of fly. © 1983, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.