Scanning electron microscopic study on the mouthparts of Apis florea (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to examine sensory structures on the mouthparts in Apis florea Fabricius (1787) from north western region (India) using scanning electron microscopy. Ultra morphological details revealed that mouthparts of the dwarf honey bees were studded with different sensory structures including sensilla chaetica (A, B and C); sensilla basiconica; sensilla trichodea C; nodulated-form sensilla trichodea C; hair membrane plate sensilla; branched processes and cuticular plate sensilla, which made the organism efficient in forage detection and collection. Sensilla chaetica were found on prementum, galea, labial palps and the glossa and made flow of liquid food to the buccal cavity convenient. Sensilla basiconica were found on labial palps and served probably as a thermoreceptor and hygroreceptor. Cuticular plate sensilla on labial palps and hair membrane plate sensilla found on galea may serve to adjust the segments of the organ and act as mechanoreceptors. The identification and analysis of the distribution of various types of sensilla on the tongue of A. florea should be helpful when addressing questions on the ecological and systematic characterisation of the species in future investigations.