ANTENNAL MORPHOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPING POLYPHENICS OF LIPHAPTIS-ERYSIMI (KALT) (HEMIPTERA, APHIDIDAE)

The present study revealed that the ratio of antennal to body length i n Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) increased from 0.55:1.00 in the first insta r to 0.75:1.00 in the adult alatae as compared to apterae, where the r atio stayed almost the same. The antenna showed specific growth region s i.e. first and fourth annuli, where the increase in size was more co mpared to other parts. Five morphologically distinct types of sensilla were recorded i.e. sensilla companiform, sensilla trichodea with enla rged spatulate tips, sensilla trichodea with tapering uniporous tips, plate organs and coeloconic pegs. The distribution pattern of these se nsilla showed that the number of sensilla trichodea increased during t he development, the increase was more in alatae compared to apterae. T he secondary sensoria were restricted to adult alatae only, but could be seen under the cuticle in fourth instar alatae. In addition, the va riation in the surface sculpturing in the form of scale-like projectio ns were also observed on the antenna.