Antennal sensilla of the weaver ant Oecophylla Smaragdina (F.)-Males and Females sense differently?

Abstract

Antenna of males and female insects are distinct in morphology and function, and such differences exist in the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (F.). In this ant, behaviour is predominantly olfactory driven. Foraging, nursing, feeding, defense etc., are the predominant female behaviour. Males are in less numbers and are seldom in the colony. This study explores the sexual dimorphism in O. smaragdina with respect to antennal morphology, morphometry and sensilla profile, which are often considered key components of the peripheral sensory system. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies revealed that the sensilla profile on the antenna probably reflects the sensitivity. Antennal morphology and sensilla profile differ in males and females. Sensilla repertoire of the females (major worker) is different in the number and types of chemosensilla. Sensilla basiconica type1 and type 2, sensilla trichoidea curvata, sensilla ampullacea and sensilla coeloconica were the abundant ones observed on the female antenna. Males have sparse sensilla, and its putative sensilla basiconicais strikingly different. The results suggest that the sensilla profile can be reflective of the behavioral repertoire in these ants.