Sensory Functions of the Palps and First Tarsi of Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acarina: Macrochelidae), a Predator of the House Fly1

Abstract

The effect of amputations of the palps and tarsi I on the sensory behavior of Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli), a mite which is predaceous on house fly, Musca domestica L., eggs and phoretic on adult house flies, was determined. With tarsi I removed, the mites did not attach to house flies and were not attracted to the adults, eggs, or pupae of house flies. With the palps removed, the mites were less mobile than normal, but responded normally to a repellent. It was demonstrated that the palps touch the substrate alternately when the mite is walking. It was concluded that receptors of olfactory stimuli are on tarsi I and receptors of contact stimuli are on the palps.