An Examination of the Antennal Sensilla of the Oligophagous Moth Species Dioryctria sylvestrella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

Dioryctria sylvestrella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a destructive borer pest on Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) indigenous to northeastern China. The antennal sensilla of D. sylvestrella were examined by scanning electron microscopy to understand the behavioral ecology of this insect pest. Both the male and female antennae are filiform, and each consists of a scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum. D. sylvestrella is characterized by sexual dimorphism. Only the male antennae present two deeply grooved thumblike protuberances on the crest surfaces of their fourth and fifth flagellomeres, respectively. These structures have never been reported for any other Pyralidae. Eight different types of sensilla with unique bioecological functions were detected on the antennae of both sexes. There may be structure–location–function relationships for these sensilla, and most of them are involved in communication between the insect and the host plant, mate detection, and oviposition site selection.