Morphology of antennal sensilla auricillica and their detection of plant volatiles in the Herald moth, Scoliopteryx libatrix L. (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

In the Herald moth Scoliopteryx libatrix there are single superficial auric illic sensilla, as well as groups of s. auricillica located in cavities on the antennae. Two sensory neurones, with different dendrite diameters inner vate each of these sensilla. The diameter of the smaller dendritic segment is roughly half that of the larger one. The larger dendritic outer segment branches profusely in the lumen of the sensillum, whereas the smaller dendr ite has few branches. Electrophysiological recordings from s. auricillica located in the medial p art of the cavity revealed a receptor neurone responding to Delta -3-carene . In addition to these neurones, recordings made deeper and more laterally into the cavity showed neurones that responded to (+/-)-linalool, alpha -pi nene and green leaf volatiles. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.