“Surface Ultra-Structural Studies on Antennae in Polymorphs of Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina; Fabricius” (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with Reference to Sensilla

Abstract

Oecophylla smaragdina is an established biological pest control agent in south-east Asian continent for cash crops like cashew and mango. It is a cosmopolitan species found all over the Asian continent. Being a social hymenopteran insect, Oecophylla smaragdina has a colony comprising of polymorphs. The morphological and ultra-structural investigation of such polymorphs antenna was done with scanning electron microscopy to reveal presence of various chemosensory, thermo-sensory and tactile sensory sensillae on the antennal segments with their specific role in the polymorphs. The role of worker in foraging activity is supported with the presence of large number of sensilla compared to other castes.