DESCRIPTION OF SENSILLA ON THE LARVAL ANTENNAE AND MOUTHPARTS OF SPODOPTERA EXIGUA (HBNER) (LEPIDOPTERA,NOCTUIDAE)

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), is a serious agricultural pest and is widely distributed in the world. In this study, sensilla morphology on the larval antennae and mouthparts of S. exigua (Hubner) was observed with a scanning electron microscope. The antenna possesses two sensilla chaetica, one sensillum styloconicum, three large sensilla basiconica, and three small sensilla basiconica. The mouthparts bears plenty sensilla, especially in galea and maxillae palpus of maxillae, and in labial palpus, which might be act to recognize host. In addition, the possible functions of these sensilla are discussed based on the previously published literatures.