Sensory receptors on the ovipositor of the carrot fly (Psila rosae (F.)) Diptera: Psilidae and the cabbage root fly (Delia brassicae) (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Abstract

AbstractThe ovipositor of Psila rosae (F.) comprises abdominal segments seven, eight and nine, the latter with well-defined tergite, sternite and anal cerci. Approximately 110 trichoid sensilla are located on the ovipositor. The ovipositor of Delia brassicae (Wied.), comprising abdominal segments six, seven, eight and nine, has a well-defined sternite on segment eight, with a tergite, sternite and cerci on segment nine. Approximately 245 trichoid sensilla are located on the ovipositor, in addition to 20 styloconic-type and four basiconic-type sensilla. These extra sensilla may enhance chemical discrimination, and thus host-finding, by D. brassicae. Transmission electron microscopy was used to reconstruct a trichoid sensillum, probably a mechanoreceptor, on the cerci of D. brassicae.