Scanning of antennae and maxillary palps of anthropophilic Aedes aegypti and ornithophilic Culex pipiens as potential arbovirus vectors

Efficient mosquito vectors are required to persist and propagate arthropod-borne diseases that seriously affect impoverished populations worldwide. Mosquito sensilla plays a crucial role in host-seeking and disease transmission to humans. This study aimed to distinguish between the several types of sensilla found on the antennae and maxillary palps of and , matching this diversity with host preference and disease transmission. Overall, 1300 mosquitoes were collected and examined using dissection and light microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to identify and describe the diverse types of sensilla found on the antennae and maxillary palps of and . In total, 900 and 400 mosquitoes were identified. The antennae and maxillary palps of and carry both sensilla trichoidea and sensilla chaetica. The antenna has long and short grooved peg sensilla, whereas lacks long pegs and expresses only occasional short pegs. The maxillary palps express Capitate pegs in both mosquito species and exclusively show sensilla campaniform in . The lack of long-grooved pegs and the presence of few short pegs, along with campaniform sensilla, limit the host range of and reduce its susceptibility to many infections, unlike .