Morphology, Distribution and Sexual Dimorphism of Sensilla in the Tea Leaf Beetle Basilepta melanopus (Coleoptera: Eumolpidae).
5 affiliations
- 1Key Laboratory of Tea Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Fruit and Tea, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China.
- 2College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
- 3College of Plant Science and Technology, Hunan Biological and Electromechanical Polytechnic, Changsha 410127, China.
- 4Guizhou Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Management Station, Guiyang 550000, China.
- 5Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China.
Abstract
The tea leaf beetle Basilepta melanopus is a devastating leaf-feeding pest of tea plants, with its infestation area and damage severity in Chinese tea plantations continuously increasing. Characterizing the morphology and distribution of sensilla provides a morphological basis for understanding the behavioral mechanisms underlying host recognition, mate localization, and environmental perception of this pest. In this study, the morphology, ultrastructural characteristics, distribution and sexual dimorphism of sensilla on antennae, mouthparts, legs, and external genitalia of B. melanopus adults were examined by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nine types and thirty-nine subtypes of sensilla were observed. These include various types on the antennae, including Böhm bristles, sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla auricillica, sensilla coeloconica, and sensillar pits, and many subtypes. The two types of sensilla unique to the mouthparts are sensilla styloconica and sensilla campaniformia. Sensilla chaetica and sensilla trichodea are also found on the tarsi. In addition, sensilla trichodea and sensilla basiconica were identified on the external genitalia of the female insect. On the male external genitalia, four types of sensilla were observed: sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla coeloconica. There were also differences in the number and size of sensilla between males and females. This study investigated the relationship between the sensilla of B. melanopus and its key behavioral activities, namely feeding and oviposition, through detailed morphological observations and systematic analysis of these sensory structures. The findings provide a conceptual framework and offer novel perspectives for future research on the behavioral ecology and integrated management of this species.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026morphology,
title = {{Morphology, Distribution and Sexual Dimorphism of Sensilla in the Tea Leaf Beetle Basilepta melanopus (Coleoptera: Eumolpidae).}},
author = {Dingran Zhang and Huan Qiu and Yuetong Guan and Wenzheng Tang and Rongrong Tan and Xun Chen and Hongjuan Wang and Danjuan Huang and Lijin An and Lin Du and Fen Zhu and Long Jiao and Yingxin Mao},
journal = {Biology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/biology15191685},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883358},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Morphology, Distribution and Sexual Dimorphism of Sensilla in the Tea Leaf Beetle Basilepta melanopus (Coleoptera: Eumolpidae).
AU - Dingran Zhang
AU - Huan Qiu
AU - Yuetong Guan
AU - Wenzheng Tang
AU - Rongrong Tan
AU - Xun Chen
AU - Hongjuan Wang
AU - Danjuan Huang
AU - Lijin An
AU - Lin Du
AU - Fen Zhu
AU - Long Jiao
AU - Yingxin Mao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/22
JO - Biology
DO - 10.3390/biology15191685
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883358
AB - The tea leaf beetle Basilepta melanopus is a devastating leaf-feeding pest of tea plants, with its infestation area and damage severity in Chinese tea plantations continuously increasing. Characterizing the morphology and distribution of sensilla provides a morphological basis for understanding the behavioral mechanisms underlying host recognition, mate localization, and environmental perception of this pest. In this study, the morphology, ultrastructural characteristics, distribution and sexual dimorphism of sensilla on antennae, mouthparts, legs, and external genitalia of B. melanopus adults were examined by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nine types and thirty-nine subtypes of sensilla were observed. These include various types on the antennae, including Böhm bristles, sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla auricillica, sensilla coeloconica, and sensillar pits, and many subtypes. The two types of sensilla unique to the mouthparts are sensilla styloconica and sensilla campaniformia. Sensilla chaetica and sensilla trichodea are also found on the tarsi. In addition, sensilla trichodea and sensilla basiconica were identified on the external genitalia of the female insect. On the male external genitalia, four types of sensilla were observed: sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla coeloconica. There were also differences in the number and size of sensilla between males and females. This study investigated the relationship between the sensilla of B. melanopus and its key behavioral activities, namely feeding and oviposition, through detailed morphological observations and systematic analysis of these sensory structures. The findings provide a conceptual framework and offer novel perspectives for future research on the behavioral ecology and integrated management of this species.
SN - 2079-7737
ER -