FINE STRUCTURAL STUDIES ON MAJOR LARVAL MOUTH PART SENSILLA OF ANTHERAEA ASSAMENSIS, AN ENDEMIC SILK MOTH SPECIES OF NORTH EAST INDIA IN REGARD TO SENSORY PHYSIOLOGY

Abstract

The larval mouth part sensilla trichodea in Antheraea assamensis revealed differential distribution pattern of pores and lumen in different parts of the same sensilla. Pores were sparse in the tip as compared to the middle portion. Similarly lumen was well developed near the base but it was not observed in the tip. Sensilla cheatica, on the other hand were represented by porous as well as aporous types. Two types of sensilla basiconica (uniporous and multiporous), an aporous sensilla digitiform and placoid sensilla were detected. Most of the sensilla were found to be innervated by the dendrites of one or more sensory neurons. The fine structural details and distribution of dendrites, thickness of walls of sensilla, porosity of sensilla, presence ,absence and the nature of lumen of different sensilla have been studied, and their significance in sensory physiology are discussed in the light of available literature.