The sensory systems and feeding behavior of leafhoppers. II. A comparison of the sensillar morphologies of several species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae).

The ultrastructure of the sensilla, and other structures, within the precibaria of eight species from three subfamilies of leafhoppers (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The types and grouping of the 20 precibarial sensilla in seven of these species were similar to those observed previously in Macrosteles fascifrons Stål. Oncometopia nigricans (Walker) also displayed similar sensilla groups; however, it had 30 sensilla. The species examined differed chiefly in the exact location and arrangement of the sensilla. The possible significance of the differences relative to leafhopper feeding is discussed. The precibarial chemosensilla may provide chemosensory evaluation of fluid in the food canal and precibarium prior to ingestion or egestion.