Study on the Antennal Sensilla of the Higher Termites Macrotermes barneyi and Odontotermes dimorphus

doi:10.15933/j.cnki.1004-3268.2026.07.011

Abstract

Abstract: As social insects，termites depend on olfactory perception to mediate intraspecific information communication，and antennal sensilla serve as crucial structures for detecting chemical cues.Investigating the morphological diversity and functional adaptation of antennal sensilla is fundamental to unraveling chemical communication mechanisms in termites. In this study，scanning electron microscopy（SEM） was employed to characterize the morphological features and spatial distribution patterns of antennal sensilla in Macrotermes barneyi and Odontotermes dimorphus.The results indicated that wing⁃budded reproductives possessed the longest antennae，whereas nymphs had the shortest antennae in both species. The antennal lengths of soldiers in M.barneyi were significantly greater than soldiers in O.dimorphus.From the scape to flagellum，the length and width of each antennomere initially decreased，then increased and subsequently plateaued. In total，11 sensillum types were identified across the two termite species，consisting of three subtypes of sensilla chaetica，two subtypes of sensilla trichodea，sensilla basiconica，Böhm’s bristles，sensilla globularia，sensilla spinosa，sensilla campaniformia，and sensilla bacilliformia.Clear variations in sensillum abundance were detected in the two termites species.Sensilla trichodea were the most numerous，followed by sensilla chaetica，while sensilla campaniformia were the rarest. In terms of distribution，sensilla chaetica Ⅰ，Ⅱ，sensilla trichodea and sensilla basiconica were predominantly distributed on the flagellomeres，with their quantities increasing toward the apical segments.By contrast，sensilla chaetica Ⅲ，Böhm’s bristles and sensilla campaniformia were largely confined to the scape and pedicel.Significant interspecific and inter⁃caste divergences were observed in the quantity and composition of antennal sensilla.Through interspecific comparisons among workers，O.dimorphus exhibited higher absolute and relative abundance of sensilla chaetica Ⅱ，while M.barneyi possessed more sensilla trichodea Ⅰ and sensilla basiconica；among soldiers，O.dimorphus had a higher proportion of sensilla trichodea Ⅰ，and M.barneyi was characterized by greater proportions of sensilla chaetica Ⅱ and sensilla basiconica.Intraspecific comparisons revealed that workers of O.dimorphus had significantly more sensilla chaetica Ⅰ and Ⅱ but fewer sensilla trichodea than soldiers.For M.barneyi，workers possessed more sensilla chaetica Ⅰ and sensilla trichodea Ⅰ，yet fewer sensilla chaetica Ⅱ and sensilla basiconica compared with soldiers.Overall，the present study describes the morphological structure，spatial distribution，as well as interspecific and inter⁃caste differences of antennal sensilla in the two termite species，providing solid morphological evidence for identifying pheromone receptor regions and exploring the olfactory communication network of termites.

Key words: Macrotermes barneyi, Odontotermes dimorphus, Antenna, Sensilla, Scanning electron microscopy（SEM）

摘要： 社会性昆虫白蚁依赖嗅觉系统进行信息交流，触角感器是其感知化学信号的关键结构，研究白蚁触角感器的种类及功能对揭示白蚁信息交流具有重要意义。利用扫描电镜分析了黄翅大白蚁（Macrotermes barneyi）和双工土白蚁（Odontotermes dimorphus）触角感器的形态和空间分布特征。结果表明，2种白蚁触角均以翅芽型繁殖蚁最长，若蚁最短，黄翅大白蚁兵蚁的触角长度显著长于双工土白蚁兵蚁；从柄节到鞭节，触角各小节长度和宽度均呈先降低再增加后趋于稳定的变化趋势。2种白蚁触角上共发现11种感器，包括刺形感器3个亚型、毛形感器2个亚型、锥形感器、Böhm氏鬃毛感器、球形感器、刺突感器、钟形感器以及棒状感器。2种白蚁不同触角感器数量存在差异，其中毛形感器最多，刺形感器次之，钟形感器最少；空间分布上，刺形感器Ⅰ、Ⅱ型，毛形感器和锥形感器等感器主要集中于鞭节，数量从柄节到顶端鞭节增加，而刺形感器Ⅲ型、Böhm氏鬃毛感器和钟形感器则主要分布在柄节与梗节。2种白蚁触角感器数量与组成存在显著的种间及品级间差异。种间比较，工蚁品级中，双工土白蚁刺形感器Ⅱ型数量及占比更高，黄翅大白蚁的毛形感器Ⅰ和锥形感器数量及占比更具优势；兵蚁品级中，双工土白蚁毛形感器Ⅰ型占比更高，黄翅大白蚁刺形感器Ⅱ型和锥形感器占比更高。同种内，双工土白蚁工蚁刺形感器Ⅰ、Ⅱ型数量显著多于兵蚁，毛形感器数量少于兵蚁；黄翅大白蚁工蚁刺形感器Ⅰ型和毛形感器Ⅰ型数量多于兵蚁，刺形感器Ⅱ型和锥形感器数量少于兵蚁。揭示了黄翅大白蚁和双工土白蚁触角感器的结构、空间分布及种间、品级间差异，为定位信息素受体位点、阐明信息素通讯网络提供了形态学证据。

关键词: 黄翅大白蚁, 双工土白蚁, 触角, 感器, 扫描电镜

CLC Number:

Q964

Wang Bo, Guo Xiaojie, Li Shiwei, Du Yunliang, Li Zhenya, Yin Xinming, Su Lijuan, He Fangchan. Study on the Antennal Sensilla of the Higher Termites Macrotermes barneyi and Odontotermes dimorphus[J]. Journal of Henan Agricultural Sciences, 2026, 55(7): 107-116.

王博, 郭晓杰, 李世伟, 杜运良, 李振亚, 尹新明, 苏丽娟, 何芳婵. 高等白蚁黄翅大白蚁和双工土白蚁的触角感器研究[J]. 河南农业科学, 2026, 55(7): 107-116.

Figures/Tables 7

References

［1］Tuma J，Eggleton P，Fayle T M. Ant⁃termite interactions：an important but under⁃explored ecological linkage［J］.Biological Reviews，2020，95（3）：555⁃572.

［2］张晓楠. 房屋建筑与水利工程白蚁危害监测与绿色防治技术研究［D］. 武汉：华中农业大学，2024.

Zhang X N. Research on termite hazard monitoring and green control technology for house and hydraulic engineering［D］. Wuhan： Huazhong Agricultural University，2024.

［3］周家怡，柯云玲，叶飞，等. 贵州钝颚白蚁（蜚蠊目：白蚁科：象白蚁亚科）线粒体基因组测序及分析［J］. 环境昆虫学报，2025，47（3）：834⁃846.

Zhou J Y，Ke Y L，Ye F，et al. Sequencing and analyses of the mitochondrial genome of Ahmaditermes guizhouensis（Blattodea：Termitidae：Nasutitermitinae）［J］. Journal of Environmental Entomology，2025，47（3）：834⁃846.

［4］靳正雅，钱沉鱼，杜澄举，等. 白蚁、黏土与生态环境相互作用研究进展［J］. 林业科学，2023，59（1）：143⁃150.

Jin Z Y，Qian C Y，Du C J，et al. Research progress on the interaction among termites，clay，and ecological environments［J］. Scientia Silvae Sinicae，2023，59（1）：143⁃150.

［5］张树田，屈章彬，蔡勤学，等. 白蚁防控技术在水利工程中的应用分析［J］. 河南水利与南水北调，2022，51（4）：83⁃85.

Zhang S T，Qu Z B，Cai Q X，et al. Application analysis of termite prevention and control technology in water conservancy project［J］. Water Resources & South to North Water Diversion，2022，51（4）：83⁃85.

［6］胡金飞. 房屋建筑白蚁危害成因及综合治理探讨［J］. 中华卫生杀虫药械，2023，29（1）：83⁃87.

Hu J F. Discussion on the causes of termite infestation and the integrated management in buildings［J］. Chinese Journal of Hygienic Insecticides & Equipments，2023，29 （1）：83⁃87.

［7］嵇保中，张磊，刘曙雯，等. 白蚁品级分化研究进展［J］. 南京林业大学学报（自然科学版），2021，45（5）：1⁃9.
Ji B Z，Zhang L，Liu S W，et al. Research progress of termite caste differentiation［J］. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University（Natural Sciences Edition），2021，45 （5）：1⁃9.

［8］刘晓岚. 雄性棉铃虫感受和编码性信息素的神经通路研究［D］. 郑州：河南农业大学，2023.
Liu X L. Neural pathways of sensing and encoding sex pheromones in male Helicoverpa armigera［D］.Zhengzhou：Henan Agricultural University，2023.

［9］Schneider D. Insect antennae［J］. Annual Review of Entomology，1964，9：103⁃122.

［10］史薛强，崔晓宁，唐庄生，等. 白刺夜蛾成虫触角及幼虫头部感器的超微形态［J］. 植物保护，2025，51（2）：172⁃183.
Shi X Q，Cui X N，Tang Z S，et al. Ultrastructural morphology of sensilla on adult antennae and larval head of Leiometopon simyrides［J］. Plant Protection，2025，51（2）：172⁃183.

［11］兰晓娜，向姗姗，朱慧. 昆虫触角感器类型及其功能研究进展［J］. 环境昆虫学报，2023，45（5）：1197⁃1216.
Lan X N，Xiang S S，Zhu H. Research progress of the types and functions of insect antennal sensilla［J］.Journal of Environmental Entomology，2023，45（5）：1197⁃1216.

［12］Castillo P，Le N，Sun Q. Comparative antennal morphometry and sensilla organization in the reproductive and non⁃reproductive castes of the Formosan subterranean termite［J］. Insects，2021，12 （7）：576.

［13］Wechsler S P，Bhandawat V. Behavioral algorithms and neural mechanisms underlying odor⁃modulated locomotion in insects［J］. Journal of Experimental Biology，2023，226：jeb200261.

［14］Saba N U，Ye C X，Zhang W X，et al. The antennal sensilla and expression patterns of olfactory genes in the lower termite Reticulitermes aculabialis（Isoptera：Rhinotermitidae）［J］. Journal of Insect Science，2022，22（4）：11.

［15］付丙鲜，余雨停，韦益健，等. 白蚁触角感觉结构、电生理及在其社会行为中的作用［J］. 昆虫学报，2023，66（12）：1638⁃1648.
Fu B X，Yu Y T，Wei Y J，et al. Sensory structures and electrophysiology of termite antennae and the roles in its social behaviors［J］. Acta Entomologica Sinica，2023，66（12）：1638⁃1648.

［16］Yang W X，Lu Y，He X H，et al. Antennal excision reveals disparate olfactory expression patterns within castes in Reticulitermes aculabialis（Isoptera：Rhinotermitidae）［J］. Arthropod Structure & Development，2024，78：101326.

［17］Chouvenc T，Su N Y. Colony age⁃dependent pathway in caste development of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki［J］. Insectes Sociaux，2014，61（2）：171⁃182.
［18］黄双. 黑翅土白蚁工蚁和兵蚁转录组测序比较及表达分析［J］. 天津农业科学，2022，28（6）：1⁃7.
Huang S. Comparative transcriptome sequencing and expression analysis of worker and soldier termites of Odontotermes formosanus［J］.Tianjin Agricultural Sciences，2022，28（6）：1⁃7.
［19］赵卫全，李西峰，于凡，等. 堤坝白蚁病害的灌浆防治技术现状及展望［J］. 中国水利水电科学研究院学报（中英文），2025，23（2）：95⁃105.
Zhao W Q，Li X F，Yu F，et al. The state of the art and prospect of grouting technology for prevention and control of termite infestation in embankment and dam projects［J］. Journal of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research，2025，23（2）：95⁃105.
［20］Yanagawa A，Yokohari F，Shimizu S. The role of antennae in removing entomopathogenic fungi from cuticle of the termite，Coptotermes formosanus［J］.Journal of Insect Science，2009，9（1）：6.
［21］Yanagawa A，Shimizu S，Noma K，et al. Classification and distribution of antennal sensilla of the termite Coptotermes formosanus（Isoptera：Rhinotermitidae）［J］.Sociobiology，2009，54（2）：327⁃349.
［22］Fu B X，Rong N H，Hong J，et al. Comparative study with scanning electron microscopy on the antennal sensilla of two main castes of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki（Blattaria：Rhinotermitidae）［J］.Micron，2020，129：102777.
［23］陈航丹，杨卫诚，张冰晨，等. 桫椤叶蜂触角感器的超微结构［J］. 东北林业大学学报，2024，52（11）：154⁃160.
Chen H D，Yang W C，Zhang B C，et al.The ultrastructure of antennal sensilla in rhoptroceros cyatheae［J］.Journal of Northeast Forestry University，2024，52（11）：154⁃160.
［24］梁翠君. 86种蚂蚁触角感受器和复眼的形态学研究［D］. 桂林：广西师范大学，2022.
Liang C J. Morphology of antennal sensilla and compound eyes of 86 species of ants（Hymenoptera：Formicidae）［D］. Guilin：Guangxi Normal University，2022.
［25］Das K S，Marwein C B，Nonglait K C L，et al. Sensory structures on the antenna of soldier and worker castes of the termite species Odontotermes parvidens（Termitidae：Isoptera： Blattaria）［J］. Microscopy Research and Technique，2022，85（3）：956⁃970.
［26］卓奕. 湖南五种白蚁形态学特征及黄翅大白蚁生物学特性研究［D］. 长沙：湖南农业大学，2004.

Zhuo Y. Study on morphological characteristic of five kinds of termites and Macrotermes barneyi light biological characteristic in Hunan［D］. Changsha：Hunan Agricultural University，2004.