Chemoreceptors in the wings of tsetse fly (Diptera : Glossinidae). A structural and electrophy-siological study in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes

Abstract

Recent studies show that hair-shaped sensillae are present on the front side of the wings of Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead, 1910. The external appearance of these hairs suggests that they have a gustatory chemoreceptor function probably in association with a mechanoreceptor. The use of two up to date techniques, i.e. transmission electron microscopy and electrophysiology confirms this hypothesis. At least four nervous cells were shown to be associated with each sensillum. Three of them had a gustatory function and one had a tactile function. The gustatory cells were stimulated by different substances (tsetse fly excrements, Ringer solution, sex pheromones).