Morphological Investigations of the Antennal Sensilla of the Banana Corm Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The antennal morphology and sensilla of the banana corm borer, Cosmopolites sordidus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were examined. The antennae of C. sordidus were composed of eight antennomeres, a scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum composed of six flagellomeres. The use of scanning electron microscopy facilitated the recognition of five different sensilla types on the antennae of C. sordidus, including sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica type 1 and 2, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla furcatea; cuticular plates were also found on the antennae of both males and females. These results provide necessary background information for our ongoing study on electrophysiology and chemical ecology of C. sordidus.