Surface Ultrastructure of Larval Mouthpart Sensilla of the Muga Silkmoth, Antheraea assamensis, an Endemic Species of North-East India

Scanning electron microscopy of different larval stages of the muga silk moth Antheraea assamensis revealed the presence of sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichoidea, sensilla styloconica, gustatory sensilla, sensory pegs, placoid sensilla, etc., on their mouth parts. Some variations were observed in the number and sub-types of sensilla in certain larval stages indicating some differences in sensitivity of the worms in different instars to the food plant and microhabitat. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.