Comparative morphology and distribution pattern of antennal sensilla of banana weevil pests, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germer) and Odoiporus longicollis Oliver

Abstract

Types and distribution of antennal sensilla were studied in two important pests of banana viz., pseudostem weevil Odoiporus longicollis Oliver, 1807 and rhizome weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Germer, 1824) using scanning electron microscopy. Morphometric analyses showed that the antennae of male and female weevils within the species are similar in the morphological structure but vary only in size. Four categories of antennal sensilla namely sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichoidea, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla coeloconica were found in these banana weevils. Though the types of sensilla among the banana weevils were found to be same,
differences were noticed in their distribution and density. The morphometrics and the antennal sensilla distribution were explained in detail, and differences across the sexes within and between the species were compared. This study not only helps in the better understanding of the antennal morphology of banana weevils and but also assist for future electrophysiological studies.