Multiporous Sensilla Research Articles

A comparison of the external morphology and functions of labial tip sensilla in semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha)

The present study provides new data on the morphology and distribution of the labial tip sensilla of 41 species of 20 gerromorphan (sub)families (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha) obtained using a scanning electron microscope. There are eleven morphologically distinct types of sensilla on the tip of the labium: four types of basiconic uniporous sensilla, two types of plate sensilla, one type of peg uniporous sensilla, peg-in-pit sensilla, dome-shaped sensilla, placoid multiporous sensilla and elongated placoid multiporous sub-apical sensilla. Based on their external structure, it is likely that these sensilla are thermo-hygrosensitive, chemosensitive and mechano-chemosensitive. There are three different designs of sensilla in the Gerromorpha: the basic design occurs in Mesoveliidae and Hebridae; the intermediate one is typical of Hydrometridae and Hermatobatidae, and the most specialized design in Macroveliidae, Veliidae and Gerridae. No new synapomorphies for Gerromorpha were identified in terms of the labial tip sensilla, multi-peg structures and shape of the labial tip, but eleven new diagnostic characters are recorded for clades currently recognized in this infraorder. One synapomorphy is recorded for Hydrometridae + Hermatobatidae + Macroveliidae + Veliidae + Gerridae; five for Macroveliidae + Veliidae + Gerridae; one for Veliidae + Gerridae; and one for Gerridae alone. Within Gerridae, one possible autapomorphy is recorded for Trepobatinae, and two possible autapomorphies for Rhagadotarsinae. We also record a possible autapomorphy for Cylindrostethinae, which indicates that this taxon is monophyletic, as is indicated by other morphological characters. Finally, we record one putative diagnostic character for Macroveliidae + Veliidae, two families that are otherwise not considered sister groups. This new set of characters based on features of the mouthparts of gerromorphan bugs might provide new insights into the cladogenesis of the infraorder.

The function of lacinia of Dipseudopsidae derived from evidence in morphology and sensilla (Trichoptera)

SummaryThe Trichoptera Dipseudopsidae are known to possess a proboscis reminiscent of that of Lepidoptera, a sister group of Trichoptera. The aim of our study is to discover whether the proboscis of Dipseudopsidae can function like that of Lepidoptera, by studying its morphology with scanning electron microscopy. Three species have been observed: Dipseudopsis oliveri Oláh & Johanson, 2010; D. lamellata Martynov, 1935, and D. modesta Banks, 1911. Their mouthparts are identical and reveal the same types of sensilla; they differ only by their length and the number of sensilla. A detailed description is offered of the D. oliveri species alone for which we possess specimens of both sexes. The maxillary lobes of D. oliveri are considerably lengthened and are thought by various authors to represent either laciniae or galeae; they are not concave and possess no linking structures and, being distant from one another, they cannot constitute a functional proboscis. Their sensory equipment, comprising exclusively uniporous sensilla styloconica with a presumed gustatory function, makes them resemble the galeae composing the proboscis of Lepidoptera. The haustellum, though reduced in size, bears at its distal extremity uniporous sensilla styloconica which are similar to those of the maxillary lobes. The existence of sensilla styloconica with a flattened stylus creates a similarity between Dipseudopsis and the most advanced Lepidoptera. The maxillary and labial palps possess an abundance and diversity of tactile and gustatory sensilla and a great number of sensilla campaniformia. Their importance is considerable because these very long palps, and especially the maxillary palps, are the first to enter into contact with the food. The total absence of multiporous olfactory sensilla in Dipseudopsis is noteworthy.

The antenna‐specific odorant‐binding protein AlinOBP13 of the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus is expressed specifically in basiconic sensilla and has high binding affinity to terpenoids

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are crucial in the olfactory pathway of insects. In the present study, the antenna-enriched OBP AlinOBP13 was investigated because of its potential contribution to the peripheral olfactory perception in the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus. The results of quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR showed that the transcript level of AlinOBP13 was higher in the adult stage than in the nymph stages. The transcript levels of AlinOBP13 in the male and female antennae significantly increased after 4 and 8 h of starvation, respectively. Fine ultrastructures of different types of chemosensilla in both female and male antennae were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical labelling. The results revealed that the anti-AlinOBP13 antiserum strongly and specifically labelled short basiconic sensilla; this antiserum was restricted to the inner lumen and the cavities below the sensillum base of the sensilla. By contrast, multiporous sensilla trichodea, medium long sensilla basiconica, and aporous sensilla chaetica were not labelled. The present study is the first to report an OBP showing specific expression in the short basiconic sensilla of a member of the Hemipteran species. The results of a fluorescence displacement binding assay indicated that recombinant AlinOBP13 showed a more specific binding preference to terpenoids than to sex pheromones and other classes of chemicals. This binding ability was dramatically affected by pH; higher binding affinities were displayed at pH 10.0 than at pH 7.4 and 5.0. In addition, the results of dose-dependent electroantennogram recordings from the antennae showed that both female and male adult bugs responded to the terpenoids tested, suggesting an apparent physiological relevance of AlinOBP13 in A. lineolatus chemoreception. The results of this study suggest that AlinOBP13 functions as a specific carrier of terpenoids and provide insights into the mechanism of A. lineolatus in response to green volatiles.

Perception of potential sex pheromones and host-associated volatiles in the cotton plant bug, Adelphocoris fasciaticollis (Hemiptera: Miridae): morphology and electrophysiology

Highly developed chemoreception allows insects to detect foods, find mates, and escape natural enemies. We described the structures and distributions of antennal chemosensilla in Adelphocoris fasciaticollis Reuter by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Seven major types of antennal sensilla were identified in adults of both sexes. Types 1 and 2 are sensilla chaetica and have thick cuticular walls with conspicuous grooves at their surfaces. Types 3 and 4 are multiporous sensilla trichodea with 1–3 dendrites located at the sensillum lymph, indicating a putative olfactory function. Types 5 and 6 are typical sensilla basiconica but share different characteristics in both external morphology and internal ultrastructure, and may be involved in the perception of host-associated odorants. The last sensilla were Bohm bristles. In addition to the morphological characterization, electrophysiological responses of antennal chemosensilla to 51 semiochemicals were investigated based on electroantennogram (EAG) recordings. Results revealed that different chemical stimuli elicited significantly different dose-dependent EAG responses, in which potential sex pheromone components and green leaf volatiles showed relatively higher EAG responses, but neither monoterpenes nor sesquiterpenes can elicit favorable EAG values. The results provided direct morphological and electrophysiological evidence that the adult antennae of A. fasciaticollis could function in searching for mates and host plants.

Characterization of olfactory sensilla of the olive fly: Behavioral and electrophysiological responses to volatile organic compounds from the host plant and bacterial filtrate

The responses of olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) antennal and palpal olfactory receptors to odors emitted by Pseudomonas putida bacterial filtrate and to volatiles from a host plant were evaluated using electrophysiological and behavioral bioassays. Morphological identification of olfactory receptors was also performed. The third antennal segment (flagellum) bears four types of multiporous sensilla: trichoid, short basiconica, clavate and grooved. Maxillary palps have mechanosensory bristles and multiporous basiconica sensilla. In wind-tunnel bioassays, olive fly responses to volatiles emitted by bacterial filtrate were higher than those to culture medium. Bacterial filtrate was more attractive than ammonium carbonate or a mixture of ethyl acetate and acetic acid in ethanol. GC–MS of bacterial filtrate identified some of the chemicals produced by bacterial activity, including methyl thiolacetate, ammonia, 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, ethyl tiglate and methyl thiocyanate. Electrophysiological investigations proved that antennal sensilla are responsive to bacterial filtrate odor, methyl thiolacetate, olive leaves and olives, as well as to α-pinene, while acetic acid elicited an inhibitory response. Electropalpgrams recorded a specific response to bacterial filtrate by mated males and females, as well as a dose-dependent response relationship to methyl thiolacetate by mated females. The identification of new active volatile compounds in the semiochemical system of the olive fly is promising for the development of innovative control strategies in area-wide management.

Sensillum types on the proboscis of the Lepidoptera: a review

Summary The external surface of lepidopteran proboscides may bear six morphological types of sensilla: chaeticum, basiconicum, styloconicum, coeloconicum, filiformium, and campaniformium, with the first three types being the most common. There are four types of pore-system: aporous, uniporous, multiporous, and uniporous-multiporous. Sensilla chaetica and campaniformia are aporous sensilla with a tactile or a proprioceptive function, respectively. Aporous sensilla filiformia are probably vibroreceptors. Uniporous sensilla with a gustative function exist in sensilla basiconica, styloconica and coeloconica. Multiporous sensilla were found in long sensilla basiconica and seem rare. Uniporous-multiporous sensilla are relatively common and are to be found both in sensilla styloconica (Arctiidae, Noctuidae) and in sensilla basiconica (Adelidae, Pyralidae, Arctiidae, Noctuidae). It is difficult to establish their function (gustative or olfactive). More extensive research would make it possible to discover them in other families. Only gustative uniporous sensilla basiconica exist in the food canal. The morphology of the proboscis and the distribution of sensilla are adapted to food habits.

Morphology and distribution of the external labial sensilla in Fulgoromorpha (Insecta: Hemiptera).

The present paper describes the sensory structures on the apical segment of the labium in fifteen fulgoromorphan families (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha), using the scanning electron microscope. Thirteen morphologically distinct types of sensilla are identified: five types of multiporous sensilla, four types of uniporous sensilla and four types of nonporous sensilla. Three subapical sensory organ types are also recognized, formed from one to several sensilla, each characteristic of a family group. Sensilla chaetica (mechanoreceptive sensilla) fall into three categories dependent on length and are numerous and evenly distributed on the surface of the labium except where they occur on specialized sensory fields. The planthopper morphological ground plan is represented by two apical pair of sensory fields (dorsal and ventral) on which 11 dorsal pairs of sensilla (10 peg-like pairs + 1 specialized pair dome or cupola-like) and 2 ventral pairs of sensilla basiconica occur. Two main patterns (cixiid and issid) together with more specialized ones (derbid, lophopid, flatid and fulgorid) are reported. Disparity and diversity of the sensory structures are analyzed from a taxonomic and functional perspective. A gustatory function is provided for several chemoreceptive labial sensilla, as in the antennal flagellum sensilla in some other Hemiptera. This represents a more recently evolved function for the planthopper labium. Finally, further lines of study are suggested for future work on the phylogeny of the group based on the studied characters.

Antennal sensilla of female Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a nymphal parasitoid of the spiraling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is a minute, obligate endoparasitoid against the spiraling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus nymph. The external morphology and distribution of the antennal sensilla of female E. guadeloupae were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Antennae of female E. guadeloupae were geniculate in shape, which consist of scape with a radicula, pedicel, and flagellum. Eight morphological sensilla types were recorded in the females: nonporous sensilla chaetica (CH-NP) and nonporous sensilla trichodea (ST-NP); uniporous sensilla chaetica (CH-UP) and uniporous sensilla trichodea (ST-UP) with a tip pore, basiconic capitate peg sensilla with numerous pores open at the bottom of the grooves; multiporous sensilla placoid (MSP) with the multiporous cuticular structure; uniporous rod-like sensilla (RO-UP) with robust grooved surfaces and the tremendous apical hole; nonporous finger-like sensilla (FI-NP) with abundant pimples at the bulgy, mortar-shaped short stalk. In order to further explore the host location mechanisms and courtship behavior of E. guadeloupae, the possible roles of the antennal sensilla of this species were discussed.

Structure and distribution of antennal sensilla in the centipede Scolopendra oraniensis (Lucas, 1846) (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha)

Scanning electron microscopic investigations of the antenna of adult Scolopendra oraniensis (Lucas, 1846) show the presence of six types of cuticular sensilla: (1) numerous slender sensilla trichodea, terminal pores could not be documented, (2) small sensilla microtrichodea with terminal pore, (3) many slightly turned contorted sensilla with terminal pores, (4) multiporous sensilla basiconica at antennal articles 6–17, (5) hat-like sensilla with terminal pores, and (6) small sensory cones with terminal pores. Structure and distribution of antennal sensilla of S. oraniensis are compared with those of other chilopod species, especially with those of the scolopendromorph Cryptops hortensis (Cryptopidae) and possible functions of the antennal sensilla are discussed.

Wall-pore sensilla auricillica on the labial palps of Limnephilus marmoratus Curtis 1834 (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

The sensilla of the 3-segmented labial palps of Limnephilus marmoratus are described by means of scanning electron microscopy. Three types of sensilla are present: aporous sensilla chaetica, uniporous sensilla chaetica and multiporous sensilla auricillica. The two types of sensilla chaetica are found all over the palp but the sensilla auricillica exist only on the terminal segment. The aporous sensilla chaetica, with a tactile function, and the uniporous sensilla chaetica, with a gustative function, intervene when feeding. The sensilla auricillica, which are considered as olfactive, appear to perform this function, rarely attributed to labial palps. These sensilla are mentioned for the first time on the labial palps of a trichopteran insect. Their morphology is identical to that of the sensilla auricillica present on the antennae of Lepidoptera, the sister-group of Trichoptera.

Antennal sensilla in five Psychodini moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) pollinators of Arum spp. (Araceae)

The pollination of the genus Arum (Araceae) is mainly achieved by deception, the floral odour mimicking the pollinator ovipositing site. In order to discover the sensory organs involved in this attraction, we have studied the antennae of five species of psychodine moth-flies (former Psychoda sensu lato=Psychodini), pollinators of Arum spp. The antennae of the five Psychodini reveal seven types of sensilla: multiporous tribranched sensilla basiconica (sensilla ascoidea), multiporous sensilla basiconica, multiporous sensilla coeloconica, multiporous sensilla auricillica, uniporous sensilla basiconica, aporous sensilla chaetica, aporous Böhm’s sensilla. Each species possesses three, five or six of these sensillum types. All the multiporous sensilla are probably olfactory receptors while the uniporous sensilla basiconica must possess a contact chemoreceptive function. The multiporous tribranched sensilla basiconica (s. ascoidea), present in all the species, are the best candidates for the reception of the odours given off by the ovipositing sites and the inflorescences of Arum. The multiporous sensilla basiconica and the multiporous sensilla coeloconica may be involved respectively as CO2 receptors or thermoreceptors. Psychoda phalaenoides, which is the main pollinator of A. maculatum, is the species which possesses the largest number of antennal sensilla. The sexual dimorphism, studied only in Psycha grisescens, as concerns the number of sensilla and the absence of a sensillum type which differ according to sex, is difficult to interpret.

Sensilla on antennae, ovipositor and tarsi of the larval parasitoids, Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron 1906) and Cotesia flavipes Cameron 1891 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): a comparative scanning electron microscopy study

Two braconid parasitoids of cereal stemborers in eastern Africa, Cotesia sesamiae and Cotesia flavipes, have been shown to display a similar hierarchy of behavioural events during host recognition and acceptance. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying host recognition and acceptance, the morphology of antennal sensilla on the last antennomeres, on the ovipositor, and on the fifth tarsomere and pretarsus of the prothoracic legs tarsi were studied using scanning electron microscopy followed by selective silver nitrate staining. It appeared that female C. sesamiae and C. flavipes shared the same types and distribution of sensory receptors, which enable them to detect volatiles and contact chemical stimuli from their hosts. In both parasitoids, four types of sensilla were identified on the three terminal antennomeres: (i) non-porous sensilla trichodea likely to be involved in mechanoreception, (ii) uniporous sensilla chaetica with porous tips that have gustatory functions, (iii) multiporous sensilla placodea, which are likely to have olfactory function, and (iv) sensilla coeloconica known to have thermo-hygroreceptive function. The tarsi of both parasitoids possessed a few uniporous sensilla chaetica with porous tips, which may have gustatory functions. The distal end of the ovipositor bore numerous dome-shaped sensilla. However, there were no sensilla coeloconica or styloconica, known to have gustatory function in other parasitoid species, on the ovipositors of the two braconid wasps.

Morpho-functional identification of abdominal olfactory receptors in the midge Culicoides imicola

The aim of the present study was to examine the presence and the possible role of abdominal olfactory sensilla in Culicoides imicola mediating the search for potential hosts and oviposition sites, by means of a morphological, electrophysiological and behavioural approach. The results reported here show that in the midge C. imicola the whole abdomen, comprising the ovipositor, are endowed with three morphotypes of multiporous sensilla that display olfactory sensitivity towards kairomones related to the host-animal skin such as L: -(+)-lactic acid and 1-octen-3-ol, to the host-animal urine such as 3-ethylphenol and 4-propylphenol, and to the potent attractant sesame seed oil. Electrophysiological and behavioural data for the first time suggest in the midge the involvement of abdominal olfactory structures in the choice of the oviposition sites and allow in discussing their possible role in the host-animal localisation. Field experiments showed that light traps baited with the aforementioned compounds elicited a stronger degree of attractiveness on midges with respect to the unbaited traps (control), although to a different extent. Our results, while implying a number of considerations concerning the role of molecules tested as kairomones, also suggest their use in the control of the midge C. imicola population.

Antennal sensory receptors of Pteromalus puparum female (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a gregarious pupal endoparasitoid of Pieris rapae

The external morphology of the antennal sensilla of Pteromalus puparum females (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is described using scanning electron microscopy. The antennae of P. puparum females are geniculate in shape, formed from a large, cylindrical scape with a basal radicel fitting into the antennal socket, a shorter, barrel-shaped pedicel and a flagellum composed of 12 subsegments. Eight morphologically distinct types of sensilla were found on the female antennae. These are: nonporous sensilla trichodea types 1 and 2, which are putative mechanosensilla, nonporous sensilla chaetica, which may function as proprioceptors, uniporous sensilla trichodea types 3 and 4, which are presumably contact chemosensilla, basiconic capitate peg sensilla, which probably function in thermo-hygro reception, multiporous sensilla trichodea, and multiporous sensilla placodea which are all presumed to be olfactory sensilla.

The antennae of neopseustid moths: Morphology and phylogenetic implications, with special reference to the sensilla (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Neopseustidae)

The antennae of Lepidoptera Neopseustidae were examined with the scanning electron microscope. The studied species, Nematocentropus cfr. omeiensis, Neopseustis meyricki, Synempora andesae, Apoplania valdiviana and Apoplania penai possess nine types of antennal flagellum sensilla: multiporous large sensilla basiconica, multiporous thin sensilla basiconica, multiporous small sensilla basiconica, multiporous sensilla trichodea, multiporous sensilla coeloconica; uniporous sensilla chaetica; aporous sensilla chaetica, aporous stylus-shaped sensilla chaetica, aporous sensilla styloconica. The multiporous sensillum type here termed “multiporous large sensillum basiconicum” is unknown from other Lepidoptera and probably constitutes an autapomorphy of the family Neopseustidae. This sensillum type is remarkable by having a single base in female Apoplania and Synempora while in male Apoplania it has a bifid or trifid base, and in male Synempora it is composed of two or three incompletely separated hairs. This may be the first recorded example of a sexually dimorphic lepidopteran sensillum type. The stylus-shaped sensillum chaeticum is a primitive type which occurs only in some lower Lepidoptera.

Antennal sensilla of male Lophocorona pediasia Common 1973 and their phylogenetic implications (Lepidoptera: Lophocoronidae)

The male antennae of Lophocorona pediasia reveal seven types of sensilla: multiporous sensilla trichodea, multiporous sensilla basiconica of subtypes 1 and 2, multiporous sensilla auricillica, aporous sensilla styloconica, multiporous sensilla coeloconica and aporous Böhm’s sensilla. All these sensillum types are present in the higher Lepidoptera. The existence of sensilla auricillica, hitherto denied by several authors, is demonstrated in this study. Typically, they are located on the distal edge of the flagellomeres as in most Lepidoptera. Therefore, their so-called absence must no longer be regarded as an autapomorphy of the Lophocoronidae. Their presence is a common characteristic of all «Dacnonypha», which include, apart from the Lophocoronidae, the Eriocraniidae and the Acanthopteroctetidae. Their number in L. pediasia is smaller than in these two families and more in accordance with the condition found in higher Lepidoptera, suggesting a more advanced position of the Lophocoronidae. The presence of very numerous sensilla basiconica is a possible autapomorphy of the family.

Sexual dimorphism of antennal, tarsal and ovipositor chemosensilla in the African stemborer, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The number and distribution of chemosensilla located on different organs of Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) males and females are described based on observations using scanning electron microscopy, selective staining with silver nitrate, and gustatory electrophysiological recording. The antennae and the fifth tarsomere of the prothoracic legs of both sexes bear chemosensilla: uniporous chaetica and multiporous trichoidea sensilla. However, there is a sexual dimorphism in the number and size of sensilla on these organs. The distal part of the ovipositor has uniporous gustatory chemosensilla of the chaetica type. The involvement of these sensilla in oviposition site selection by B. fusca is discussed.

Heterobathmia pseuderiocrania (Heterobathmiina): mouthparts, mouthpart sensilla, and comparison with other non-glossatan suborders (Insecta, Lepidoptera)

The mouthparts of Heterobathmia pseuderiocrania are primitive and well adapted for collecting and grinding pollen of Nothofagus. The five- segmented maxillary palps show specialized structures for collecting pollen: spatula-shaped sensilla chaetica. The epipharynx and the teeth on the mandibles grind the pollen to powder before ingestion. Mechanoreceptive aporous sensilla chaetica are located on the labrum, the galeae, the maxillary and labial palps. Proprioceptive sensilla campaniformia are observed only on the maxillary palps. Two types of gustative uniporous sensilla basiconica are observed on the galeae and one type at the apex of the maxillary palps. The apical segment of the labial palps shows uniporous sensilla chaetica and multiporous sensilla basiconica. Compared to the suborder Zeugloptera, the species of which are also pollen-grinders, the suborder Heterobathmiina, as exemplified by H. pseuderiocrania, is less specialized: presence of one type of pollen-collecting structures; absence of large sensilla placodea (perforated heart-shaped organ and perforated oval area) on the labial and maxillary palps, sensilla present in Micropterix calthella. In view of these differ-ences, the Heterobathmiina are closer to the suborder Glossata. H. pseuderiocrania reveals several autapomorphies: absence of linking legulae on the galeae, which are clearly outlined structures in the Zeugloptera and very developed in the Glossata; presence of long uniporous sensilla basiconica on the apex of the galeae, and uniporous sensilla chaetica on the labial palps.

Antennal sensilla in female Heterobathmia pseuderiocrania (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Heterobathmiina)

The female antennae of Heterobathmia pseuderiocrania bear 9 types or subtypes of sensilla: multiporous sensilla trichodea of subtypes I and II, multiporous sensilla basiconica, multiporous sensilla auricillica of subtypes I and II, multiporous sensilla coeloconica, uniporous sensilla basiconica, uniporous sensilla chaetica, aporous Bohm’s bristles. Aporous sensilla styloconica are not observed. During evolution of Lepidoptera, it is in the suborder Heterobathmiina that typical sensilla auricillica appear for the first time. Moreover, it is the first description in Lepidoptera, on the one hand of two very different subtypes of sensilla auricillica in the same species and, on the other hand, of a sexual dimorphism related to one subtype of these sensilla. The sensory structures are compared with those of the three other suborders of Lepidoptera. The Heterobathmiina do not possess the specialized sensillar types which occur in the basal suborders Zeugloptera and Aglossata. They have three possible autapomorphies which concern the sensilla auricillica. Their sensilla are close to those of the suborder Glossata which group together all the higher lepidopterans.

Fine structure of antennal sensilla basiconica and their detection of plant volatiles in the eucalyptus woodborer, Phoracantha semipunctata Fabricius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The ultrastructure and distribution pattern of two types of basiconic sensilla (I and II) on the antennal flagellum of both sexes of Phoracantha semipunctata (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscope. Both types are thin-walled multiporous sensilla and occur mostly along the anterior border of the Fl1–Fl6 flagellomeres, while on the distal flagellomeres (Fl7–Fl9) they are more evenly distributed on both surfaces. Clusters of sensilla basiconica II are found on the distal half of the anterior border of the Fl1–Fl6 flagellomeres. Sensilla basiconica I have one bipolar sensory cell with a branched distal dendrite, whereas the sensilla basiconica II contain two bipolar sensory cells with branched distal dendrites. No sexual dimorphism was found in the fine structure and distribution pattern of both types of sensilla basiconica. Responses from single sensory cells to host and non-host plant odors were examined, using gas chromatography linked with electrophysiological recordings. Most cells associated with each sensillum type were narrowly tuned, each specialized for the detection of one or two chemically related compounds. No clear functional distinction between the two morphological types of sensilla was found, although the few cells that responded specifically to non-host volatiles were associated with sensilla basiconica II.