Abstract

Abstract. Larvae of Ostrinia nubilalis(Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were reared on artificial diet, fresh cut corn, or switched from diet to corn for 5 days prior to tip recording. Electrophysiological responses to a standard mixed chemical stimulus were obtained from the galeal uniporous chemosensilla of the early fifth‐stadium larvae. Mouthparts of some larvae were briefly treated with protease, then recorded again. Larvae were then processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of chemosensilla terminal pores. Spike:noise ratios were significantly higher for corn‐reared, switched‐to‐corn, and protease‐ treated larvae, relative to diet‐reared larvae. Morphology of the chemo‐ sensilla terminal pores, as assessed by SEM, reveals that apparent occlusion of the pore tip is significantly greater for diet‐reared larvae relative to the other groups. The data suggest an association between quality of the electrophysiological recordings and physical blockage of the terminal sensillum pore. These data should serve as a caveat for those engaged in chemosensory studies of insect herbivores.

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