Ultrastructural observations of sensilla on the antennae and abdominal tip of Trichogramma pintoi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The aim of this study is to identify the main types, morphological characteristics and distribution of sensilla on the adult Trichogramma pintoi Voegele.

The sensilla on the antennae and abdominal tip were observed and described using scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The results showed that there were seven types of sensilla on the antennae of the T. pintoi, namely, sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles, sensilla coeloconica, sensilla placodea, sensilla campaniformia and sensilla falcata, among which the sensilla trichodea were the most numerous. At the tip of the abdomen, there were four types of sensilla, namely, sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles and sensilla campaniformia.

The present study further enriches the study of the ultrastructure of the sensilla of the Trichogramma species, and provides a morphological basis for the subsequent study of chemical communication mechanism and biocontrol development and utilisation of the Trichogramma.