Ontogeny of mouthpart sensilla of Muga silkworm: a scanning electron microscopic study

Scanning electron microscopy on the postembryonic development of the mouthpart sensory structures of the Muga silk moth, Antheraea assamensis revealed the presence of a variety of sensilla. The types, distribution pattern of the sensilla remained almost the same in the different larval stages except for the number and dimension in some cases. The findings of the study assumes significance because the silk moth, Antheraea assamensis is a species endemic to the North Eastern part of India and very few reports are available on it. In fact, the present study provides the first report on the ontogeny of the mouth part sensilla of the silk moth species. Since mouth part sensilla and their surface micro structural characteristics are extremely important in understanding their roles in searching behavior during feeding, the present study will certainly help in developing strategies for proper rearing of this economically important insect species.