Comparative Study of the Mouthparts and Associated Sensilla of Adult Male and Female Tabanus Nigrovittatus (Diptera: Tabanidae)1

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Abstract
Comparisons between the mouthparts and associated sensilla of male and female Tabanus nigrovittatus showed distinct sexual dimorphism for most, but not all, structures related to the feeding habits of the sexes. In males the reduced number of sensilla and absence of denticles on the apex of the labrum, absence of mandibles, failure of salivary duct to open at the tip of the hypopharynx, and lack of retrorse teeth on the lacinia of the maxilla all correlate with the non-blood-feeding habit. In both sexes sensilla were found on all the mouthparts except the hypopharynx and maxillary lacinia. Structures previously unreported on the mouthparts of tabanids are the 2 campaniform sensilla on each mandible of the female and pseudotracheal connectors on the labium of both sexes.