D. Nicastro et al., THE ANTENNAL SENSILLA OF THE CARNIVOROUS PHANTOM LARVA OF CHAOBORUS-CRYSTALLINUS (DEGEER) (DIPTERA, NEMATOCERA), Canadian journal of zoology, 73(1), 1995, pp. 15-26
The prehensile antennae of larval Chaoborus crystallinus are equipped
with seven sensilla that comprise 24 sensory cells. Analysis of their
ultrastructure indicates that they represent either mechano- or chemo-
receptors. The main chemosensory input is established by a compound se
nsillum, S15 (''sensory cone'' with 15 sensory cells), that is located
at the tip of the antennal article (outer ventral claw). Exterorecept
ors are the ''middle claw'' of the antenna, and a small sensillum tric
hodeum at half the length of the antennal article. Proprioreceptive me
chanoreceptors are found in the proximal and distal regions of the ant
ennal article. Comparison of sensillar arrangement and ultrastructure
indicates that the ancient sensillar equipment of the culicid type is
still present within the highly specialized catching apparatus of C. c
rystallinus. Compared with Culicidae, chemosensitive input is reduced,
while proprioreceptive, mechanosensory input is highly developed. Lar
vae of Culicidae and Chaoboridae appear to possess a homologous set of
antennal senilla that show specializations connected to the different
functions of the antennae.