Sense organs in the cuticle of larval Hypoderma bovis (L.) and H. diana Brauer (Dipt., Oestridae)

Abstract

A histological examination of the cuticle of third-instar larvae of Hypoderma bovis (L.) and H. diana Brauer has revealed a large number of mounds with apical pits, which possibly act as chemoreceptors. The pits are in contact with nervous tissue in the epidermis by means of a rod or tube-like structure which passes vertically through the cuticle. Similar structures have been seen in the related genera Oedemagena and Przhevalskiana.