An antenna (Latin antenna) is a paired appendage of the head of crustaceans, insects, millipedes and centipedes, which serves as a carrier of sensory organs

There can be one or two pairs of antennae. The antennae are divided into individual segments. Individual sensory organs are then found only on some segments and the antennae are described accordingly. In insects, antennae are located on the front or upper side of the head, they are the carrier of basic receptors and as such they are the basic sensory organ. The segments of the antennae are numbered from the head, the first segment of the antennae is therefore the segment at the head, this segment is the only segment with muscles and allows the movement of the entire antennae.

The function of the antennae of insects

Touch

The most well-known function of the feelers is their tactile function, insects use the so-called mechanoreceptors, which can be found among others also on the antennae. There are many of these mechanoreceptors and they vary according to the specialization of individual genera, according to this specialization they can be found practically anywhere on the antennae.

Smell and taste

Another function of antennae is their olfactory function, insects detect the presence of individual chemical substances using chemoreceptors, olfactory chemoreceptors can be found in many places (genital organs), but they are represented the most on the antennae. If insects possess any specialized olfactory receptors (those that sense only one or a few substances), they are usually only on the antennae.

A little-known fact is that insects perceive taste in the same way as they perceive smell, using chemoreceptors. Most of these specialized chemoreceptors can be found in the mouth, although to a lesser extent, taste chemoreceptors are also found on the antennae.

Johnston's organ

The second segment of the antennae contains the so-called Johnston's organ, its function is often different, generally serving as a receptor for the position of the antennae. That is, it is used to give the insect an idea of what is going on with the antennae (where they are pointed and in what position they are). In some species, it functions as a receptor for the position of the whole body. In rare cases, it has transformed into a sound organ.

Other receptors

In addition to the usual senses, insects can also determine some other phenomena using receptors located on the antennae. However, such functions are not developed in all or most insects, but belong to species specialization. The most common abilities of the antennae include the perception of temperature, air humidity or electrical voltage. However, there are also species specializations, such as determining wind speed in flies.