Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of Sensilla of Antenna and Mouthparts of Final Instars of Two Moth Species, Creatonotos transiens and Cladarctia quadrimosa (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

The current study examines the sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts of the final instar larvae of two polyphagous pest species from the same family and subfamily. Both Creatonotos transiens and Cladarctia quadrimosa have six instars. The present study is a comparative analysis between final instars of two species. On the antennae, seven sensilla were observed in Creatonotos transiens and six in Cladarctia quadrimosa. Regarding the mouthparts, a total of thirty four sensilla were found in Creatonotos transiens and thirty sensilla in Cladarctia quadrimosa. The taxonomic significance of these sensilla is also discussed to differentiate the two species based on their ultrastructures. The identified functions of the sensilla are also explored, suggesting mechanisms of insect communication and feeding.