Cibarial sensilla of Toxorhynchites mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Cibarial sensilla in 3 species of Toxorhynchites mosquitoes were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Average sizes of the cibaria in the 3 species examined are similar. Palatal papillae in some specimens are reduced. Variation in the number of trichoid sensilla is not sexually dimorphic, nor related to size of cibarium. Whereas 4 ventral papillae are found in T. splendens (Wiedemann), some specimens of T. brevipalpis Theobald show a reduction in number of these sensilla and the majority of T. rutilus septentrionalis (Dyar and Knab) have lost these sensilla completely. Such reduction is probably related to the non-bloodfeeding habits of these mosquitoes.