Leg Sensilla of Ilyocoris cimicoides (Heteroptera: Naucoridae): A SEM Study with Notes on Mouthpart Morphology

ABSTRACT: In this study, the types and morphological characteristics of sensilla located on the legs of Ilyocoris cimicoides (Linnaeus, 1758) were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The main objective of the study was to reveal the structural diversity of leg sensilla and their distribution across different segments.Different sensilla types, including sensilla trichodea (ST), sensilla chaetica (SCh), sensilla coeloconica (SCo), and sensilla placodea multilobata (SPM), were identified. Sensilla trichodea was found to occur in two distinct morphological subtypes. It is suggested that the sensilla are generally mechanoreceptive, while some types may also be involved in the perception of chemical and environmental stimuli.The findings provide important data on the diversity and distribution of sensilla in I. cimicoides,suggesting that these structures may be associated with the sensory adaptations of the species.