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Morphological Observations on Sensory Structures on the Ovipositor and Tarsi of the Female and on the Head Capsule of the Larva of the Sorghum Shootfly, Atherigona Soccata Rondani

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Abstract

Trichoid, basiconic and campaniform sensilla have been observed on the ovipositor and tarsi of the sorghum shootfly, Atherigona soccata Rondani. The ovipositor of A. soccata comprises abdominal segments 6–9, with most of the trichoid sensilla located on the ninth segment. Two olfactory pegs each are located on the paired leaflets of the ninth segment. Sensilla on the tarsi include long and short basiconic sensilla and campaniform sensilla located near the anterior margin of the last tarsal segment.

The sensory organs on the head capsule of the larva were studied by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Four types of sensory receptors were observed on the cephalic lobes. They consist of four knob-shaped sensilla, two styloconic sensilla, two campaniform sensilla, and eight basiconic sensilla.

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Ogwaro, K., Kokwaro, E.D. Morphological Observations on Sensory Structures on the Ovipositor and Tarsi of the Female and on the Head Capsule of the Larva of the Sorghum Shootfly, Atherigona Soccata Rondani. Int J Trop Insect Sci 2, 25–32 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400002113

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