Ultrastructure of Maxillary Teeth and Sensilla of Three Anopheline Species of Mosquitoes (insecta: Diptera: Culecidae)

899 Abstract The maxillary stylets and maxillary palps of three species of mosquitoes belonging to genus Anopheles, viz., Anopheles culicifacies Giles, Anopheles fluviatilis James Anopheles subpictus Grassi have been studied using scanning electron microscope. The studies reveal the presence of lateral teeth and absence of mesial teeth on the maxillary stylets. The number, shape and size of lateral teeth differ in different species. The maxillary palps have been found to bear various capitate pegs which also shows differences in their shape and size. These discriminatory structures are, however, too minute to be studied under ordinary light microscope. The scanning of their surfaces under electron microscope brings to light the true structure of the teeth and the pegs and makes it possible to compare its structure in different species and genera. The studies so far made on the ultrastructure of maxillary teeth and maxillary sensilla largely pertain to the species available outside India.