Entomology Essentials: Rahul’s Quick Guide for Master’s Prep

Mouth according to feed habit

  1. Mandibulate ( Chewing type): Grasshopper, Cockroach
  2. Haustellate ( Sucking type): Aphid, Mosquitoes, Cicada.

 

Parts of Antennae

  • All insects except proturan possess a pair of antennae.
  • Used as air funnel for respiration  in some water beetles.
  • Consists of following parts:

a) Scape: Basal segment bearing a notch.

b) Pedicel: Second globular segment

c) Flagellum: each segment called ‘flagellomere’ . First segment called ‘ meriston’.

  • In male mosquito, antennae are used for hearing purpose.

 

Types of antennae

a. Filiform ( Thread like):

  • Uniform and reduced to distal end.
  • Eg: Grasshopper

 

b. Moniliform:

  • More or less globose and constriction occurs between the segment.
  • Eg: Termites.

 

c. Serrate (saw-like):

  • Segments are more or less triangular projecting in one direction.
  • Eg: Click beetles, Mango stem borer.

 

d. Clavate ( Club-like):

  • Segment enlarge towards tip and last segment is almost triangular in shape.
  • Eg: Butterflies

 

e. Capitate ( Knob-like):

  • Last 2-3 segment enlarge abruptly forming a knob like structure.
  • Eg: Sap bee.

 

f. Setaceous ( bristle like):

  • Each segment becomes smaller and smaller ending to a point.
  • Eg: Cockroaches.

 

g. Pectinate (Comb like):

  • Segment having long projection on one side and only in one direction forming a comb-like structure.
  • Eg: Fire colored beetle.

 

h. Bipectinate ( Feather like):

  • Eg: Silk worm

 

I. Flabellate ( Cobra like):

  • Eg: Cedar beetle

 

j. Aristate ( Bearing arista):

  • 3 segments ; last segment is longer and bears a bristle like structure called arista.
  • Eg: Housefly

 

k. Plumose:

  • Segment contain bunch of hairs on each joint.
  • Eg: Male mosquito

 

l. Lamellate ( Leaf-like):

  • Eg: Dung beetle

 

m. Geniculate ( Elbow-like):

  • Eg: Ant, weevils
Scroll to Top