Antennal-sensilla
Guides
Clerinae
Clerinae is a subfamily of checkered beetles (family Cleridae) comprising numerous genera distributed across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. The subfamily includes diverse species with varied ecological associations, including flower-visiting and predatory behaviors. Taxonomic revisions have substantially expanded recognized diversity, with many genera such as Neorthrius, Xenorthrius, Erymanthus, Eunatalis, Tillicera, and Enoclerus undergoing recent systematic study. Some lineages show strong biogeographic patterns linked to Gondwanan origins and Andean vicariance events.
Corixoidea
water boatmen, pygmy water boatmen
Corixoidea is a superfamily of aquatic true bugs (Nepomorpha) containing two families: Corixidae (water boatmen) and Micronectidae (pygmy water boatmen). Members are exclusively aquatic, inhabiting ponds, slow-moving streams, and other freshwater bodies. The superfamily is distinguished by adaptations for underwater life including modified antennae with mechanoreceptive and chemoreceptive sensilla, and diverse feeding strategies ranging from detritivory to predation. Corixidae is the larger family with approximately 500 species worldwide, while Micronectidae contains smaller-bodied species with distinct antennal morphology supporting its family-level recognition.
Emphorini
Chimney Bees
Emphorini is a tribe of solitary, ground-nesting bees within the family Apidae. Members are characterized by narrow pollen preferences, with many species exhibiting oligolecty (specialized pollen collection from a restricted range of plant taxa). Nesting behavior varies: some species carry water to soften hard soil during excavation, while others do not. The tribe includes approximately nine genera distributed primarily in the New World, with an amphitropical distribution pattern in some genera.
Molanna
hood casemakers
Molanna is a genus of caddisflies (order Trichoptera) commonly known as hood casemakers, comprising over 20 described species. Larvae construct portable cases from sand grains and inhabit shallow freshwater environments including lake margins and spring-fed streams. Adults exhibit sex-specific antennal morphology and chemical communication, with females producing sex pheromones that attract males to mating sites near water.
Molanna uniophila
Molanna uniophila is a caddisfly species in the family Molannidae. Larvae inhabit shallow, sand-bottomed lake margins and construct portable cases from sand grains and organic debris. They exhibit distinctive diel foraging behavior, migrating from sandy substrates to hard surfaces (rocks, wood, macrophytes) during evening and night to feed on periphyton, then returning to sandy areas by day. Adults display sex-dependent antennal dimorphism associated with asymmetric pheromone communication, where only females produce volatiles.
Nepoidea
Nepoidea is a superfamily of aquatic true bugs comprising two families: Belostomatidae (giant water bugs) and Nepidae (water scorpions). These are the largest-bodied members of the infraorder Nepomorpha and function as top predators in freshwater ecosystems. A distinctive morphological trait is the reduction and concealment of antennae in grooves behind the eyes, an adaptation to submerged aquatic life. The antennal sensilla exhibit remarkable structural diversity, with 11 morphological types identified including mechanosensilla, thermo-hygrosensilla, and olfactory sensilla that facilitate environmental sensing and prey detection.
Philanthinae
beewolves, weevil wasps, ant-queen kidnappers
Philanthinae is a large subfamily of solitary predatory wasps within Crabronidae, containing approximately 1100 species across 9 genera, with Cerceris being the most diverse. Members are commonly known as beewolves, weevil wasps, and ant-queen kidnappers, reflecting their specialized prey preferences. Adult females excavate underground burrows for nesting and provision cells with paralyzed prey for their larvae. The subfamily exhibits remarkable behavioral complexity for solitary wasps, including prey embalming, landmark-based navigation, territoriality, and scent-marking. Three tribes are recognized: Philanthini (beewolves), Cercerini (weevil wasps), and Aphilanthopsini (ant-queen kidnappers), each with distinct morphological and ecological specializations.
Psychomyioidea
net-tube caddisflies
Psychomyioidea is a superfamily of caddisflies (Trichoptera) in the suborder Annulipalpia, commonly known as net-tube caddisflies. The superfamily comprises five families: Psychomyiidae, Xiphocentronidae, Dipseudopsidae, Polycentropodidae, and Pseudoneureclipsidae. Members are characterized by specialized antennal sensilla and larval case-building behavior using silk nets or tubes. The group is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with significant diversity in the Neotropics, Oriental region, and Brazilian Amazon.