The typology and topography of the tarsal chemoreceptors of the blow fliesCalliphora vicinaRobineau‐Desvoidy andPhormia terranovaeRobineau‐Desvoidy and the HouseflyMusca domesticaL

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Abstract
A comparative morphological study concerning typology and topography of chemoreceptors on the prothoracic legs ofCalliphora vicina, Phormia terranovaeandMusca domesticahas been carried out. The typological criteria of Grabowski and Dethier ('54) and Hansen and Heumann ('71) were used. A single criterion, the shape of the tip, was used to define the different types of chemoreceptors.A‐hairs have a rhombic pore at the side of the tip; B‐hairs have an oval pore at the tip apex and D‐hairs have a rectangular pore under an undulated, cap‐like structure at the hair tip. A‐, B‐and D‐hairs were found in the tarsomeres ofPhormia; inMuscaandCalliphoraonly B‐ and D‐hairs were found. An opening and closing mechanism may operate on the pores of the tips of the chemoreceptors. Chemoreceptors were counted and a topographical map was completed, using SEM‐techniques. Topographical maps are of value in electrophysiological and behavioural research, where only a limited optical magnification is possible.