Antenna

Antennae (singular antenna) are paired sensory organs on the heads of insects. Antennae are sensitive to touch, smell and, in some species, sound.

Antennae are made up of several segments and different groups of insects have different forms of antennae. These forms are:

• Filiform - This is the most basic form of antenna. The antenna is made up of numerous segments but these are of a uniform size.
• Setaceous - There are many joints. The antenna tapers from the base to the tip e.g. Cockroaches.
• Moniliform - The round segments make the antenna look like a string of beads e.g. Beetles.
• Serrate - the segments are angled on one side giving the appearance of a saw edge e.g. Beetles.
• Pectinate - The segments are longer on one side. This gives the appearance of a comb e.g. Sawflies (related to wasps) and Beetles.
• Clavate - the segments become wider towards the tip of the antenna e.g. Butterflies & Moths and Beetles.
• Lamellate - the segments towards the end are flattened and plate-like. This gives the appearance of a fan e.g. Beetles
• Geniculate - there is an abrupt bend or elbow part of the way along the antenna e.g. Ants and Beetles.
• Plumose - the segments each have a number of fine thread-like branches. This gives the appearance of a feather e.g. Flies.

The large filiform antennae of a solitary bee.

Other names for (or types of) Antenna include:

• Feelers

Related terms

• Abdomen
• Arista
• Clypeus
• Filiform
• Head
• Johnstons organ
• Pheromone

Related groups of terms

• Invertebrate body structure

Related pages on this web site

• Insect antennae
• Insect body structure

See other words beginning with A