SENSILLA ANTENNAL OF ANTS AND THE INTERACTION WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACT - Ants live in a complex social organization and are important bioindicators because they respond to variations in the ecosystem. The antennas are the main sensory organs responsible for the interaction between the individuals of the colony and their perception of the ecosystem. These sensory organs allow the insects to detect and respond to environmental variations through innumerable sensilla with different forms and functions. Due to the importance of the ants as bioindicators and the importance of the antennal sensillas in the perception of the ecosystem, the objective of this work was to discuss the main types and the functions of the antennal sensillas found in the ants. Numerous sensilla are observed along the antennas of the ants. The largest number and different types are observed at the ends of the antennas. These sensilla are classified according to their form and function. The antennal sensillas are imperceptible when we observe an ant with the naked eye, but important sensory organs responsible for the response of the ants are the environmental variations and their interaction with the ecosystem.