Antennal Sensilla of Cashew Stem and Root Borers Plocaederus Ferrugenius and P.obesus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The morphology of antennal sensilla of cashew stem and root borers Plocaederus ferrugenius L. and P. obesus Gahan (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) were described by using scanning electron microscopy. Seven morphological types of sensilla were identified. Sensilla basiconica were found in abundance in the basal antennomeres of males of both the species, sensilla coeloconica on the F5 � F8 in male P. ferrugenius, sensilla gemmiformea in both the sexes of P. ferrugenius on the outer surface of the antenna, and filiform sensilla in the antenna of female Plocaederus spp. Sensilla trichoidea were abundant in P. obesus female. Sensilla chaetica in P. ferrugenius. Placoid sensilla in P. obesus male. The possible functions of the above sensilla types are discussed in light of previously published literature.