---

Animalia >Arthropoda >Insecta >Lepidoptera >Phyllocnistidae >Phyllocnistis >

Antennae of lepidopteran insects vary greatly in length. Except for comb-like antennae in males which function as chemical sensors, few have structures that indicate a special function. The bases of antennae in moths of the family Phyllocnistidae are inflated to form a disc-shaped structure. When an insect is moving and the antennae are raised, the discs are separated from the compound eyes. When the insect is still, however, the antennae lay close to the body and the discs completely cover the eyes. Do discs function to provide a sound sleep to this nocturnal moth during the day? The discs look so similar to eye masks that we use on the airplane. Moreover, many long scaly hairs around the eyes seem to block the light further. These structures and functions suggest me the nature's perfection.

(Data No.momo050123pn01b)

Copyrights belong to author.
Read Terms of Service carefully

>>Japanese

[Database Home]