SENSILLA ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROSTRUM OF 8 SPECIES OF TRIATOMINAE

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) permits description of 10 types of rostral sensilla of eight species of Triatominae. The chaetica sensill a are the most abundant over all the rostral surface. On the second an d third rostral segments, these sensilla are arranged in six columns a long the main axis. A distinctive sensory field lies on the third segm ent very close to the emergence of the stylet. The total number of cha etica sensilla increases significantly on the last segment. The number and distribution of sensilla do not differ between nymphs and adults. The pattern of rostral sensilla of five species-Triatoma sordida, T. platensis, T. protracta, T. infestans, and T. guasayana-were analyzed, and the results were compared by multivariate discriminant analysis. Interspecific variability was found. The method is proposed as a taxon omic tool. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.