Distribution of sensilla on antenna and rostrum in nymphs and adults of Cimex hemipterus Fabricius (Hemiptera, Cimicidae).

Bed bugs cause biting nuisance and are suspected vectors of diseases. Sensilla located on antenna and rostrum influence the behaviour of the bed bugs and related to the number and distribution. Mapping of the segmental distribution of the sensilla located on the antennae and rostrum of post-embryonic stages of Cimex hemipterus has been carried out by silver nitrate staining. A progressive increase in the number of sensilla has been observed from nymphal stage to adult stage. Non-argyrophilic sensilla were more in number than argyrophilic sensilla, however the terminal segments were equipped with more number of argyrophilic sensilla. More than three fold increase in sensilla were recorded on the antenna and rostrum in adult stages than the I-nymphal stage with high degree of correlation. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]