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Notes6project and Research
Notes6project and Research
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Hemiptera: Pentatomidae
Antennae of a male moth of Trictena atripalpis: (a) anterior view of the head; (b)
cross-section through the antenna showing the antenna is branched three
times; (c) enlargement of the tip of one of the branches showing olfactory hairs. Representation of nervous system development. (a)
(modified from Gullan & Cranston, 2005, pg. 100) 5 neuroblast formation; (b) neurblasts form ganglia and 6
ganglia interconnect; (c) ganglia fusion. (modified from Elzinga,
2000, pg. 91)
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Ganglia fusion Nervous System Functions
The insect nervous system is ventrally located, running from the head down below the
digestive system. The supraesophageal ganglion, as its name implies, lies above the
esophagus (supra-, above). It is made up of three main lobes, the protocerebrum, the
deutocerebrum and tritocerebrum. We will discuss each of their functions on the next
slide. The subesophageal ganglion is located below the esophagus. It coordinates and
controls the maxilla, mandibles and labium.
Ganglia fusion from primitive to specialized insects. (modified from Elzinga,2000, pg. 92)
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Simple eyes: (a) Stemmata of caterpillar; (b) dorsal Longitudinal sections through the rhabdoms in simple
ocelli of a stinkbug; (c) three dorsal ocelli, cicada eys. Stemma of a caterpillar. Ocellus of an adult bug.
(modified from Romoser & Stoffolano, 1998, pg. 32). (modified from Gullan & Cranston, 2005, pg. 107)
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Simple Eyes - Stemmata Compound Eyes
Stemmata (singular, stemma) are structurally intermediate between ocelli and
compound eyes. Each facet is called an ommatidium. The ommatidium has a corneal lens,
crystalline cone, rhabdom, and pigment cells. Light is focused by the lens and
the cone onto the color pigments located in the rhabdom.
Simple eyes: (a) Stemmata of caterpillar; (b) dorsal ocelli of a stinkbug; (c)
three dorsal ocelli, cicada (Romoser & Stoffolano, 1998, pg. 32).
large
g compound
p eyes
y - damselflyy
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Throughout the course units, you will be asked to view short video clips. Please
understand that many of these video clips are copyrighted and are NOT to be used
large compound eyes – deer fly outside of this class and only may be used for this semester.
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Please do not copy or distribute these clips.
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Longitudinal section through a multiporous sensillum.
(modified from Gullan & Cranston, 2005, pg. 99)
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Chemoreceptors Olfaction
Chemoreception is the ability to sense molecules through taste and smell For many, if not most insects, olfaction is the single most important type of
(olfaction). Taste and olfaction are very similar processes and the sensory sensory perception. A common use of olfaction is for the location of food.
structures involved are likewise similar.
The other important use of olfaction is the location of a suitable mate. This is
Chemoreceptors are what give insects the ability to taste. The sense of taste done by releasing odors we call pheromones.
is extremely well developed in some insects.
(Just think about that the next time one lands on you or your hamburger.)
Sensilla located at a joint, called hair-plate sensilla, showing how the hairs
Longitudinal section of a trichoid sensillum are stimulated by contacting adjacent cuticle. (modified from Gullan & Cranston 2005,
(modified from Gullan & Cranston 2005, pg. 87). pg. 88)
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Conclusion
All these receptors send impulses down their neurons to the ganglia of the
nervous system. This system of neurons develops from masses of tissue
during egg growth and then develops intricate structures that perform a variety
of functions.
Now when you see a housefly land on a piece of food, you will be able to think
about how it detected the food
food, what it looked like to the fly,
fly which taste
receptors he may be using, and which parts of the nervous system were used
by the fly to determine whether the food is palatable
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References
Daly, H.V., Doyen, J.T. and Purcell III, A.H., 1998. Introduction to Insect
Biology and Diversity, Oxford University Press, New York, 2nd ed.
Gullan, P.J. and P.S. Cranston, 2005. The Insects: An outline of entomology.
Blackwell Publishing.
Romoser, W
R W.S.
S & JJ.G.
G Stoffolano.
St ff l 1998.
1998 Th
The S
Science
i off E
Entomology.
t l
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Boston. 4th ed.
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