Head part of Mosquito Larvae

Nov 11, 2018 • 7:56 AM UTC

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Microorganisms

Priti_05

Junior Research Fellow, The D.G.Ruparel College, Mumbai.

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The head of the mosquito larva is basically prognathous. The mouthparts, therefore, are considered as anterior appendages. The mandibles and maxillae exhibit a wealth of taxonomic characters that, unfortunately, are not extensively used in mosquito taxonomy. A lateral palatal brush (mouth[/no-lexcion] brush) is borne anteriorly on either side of the mouth. In most larvae, the brushes consist of numerous slender setae with fine pectination on one side, but in predatory larvae these setae are much thicker and greatly reduced in number. The antennae may be finely or coarsely spiculate, or lack spicules. The development and placement of seta 1-A is taxonomically important.