Image of human body louse

Description:

At a moderate magnification of 391x, this 2006 scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted an enlarged dorsal view at the proximal end of the right antenna of a male body louse, Pediculus humanus var. corporis. The antennae are composed of three main regions: scape, pedicle, and flagellum. The scape attaches the sensory organ to the head region, and the pedicle joins the distal, jointed flagellum to the scape. The bilaterally situated antennae are not the only structures in the insect's repertoire of sensorial apparatuses that provide it with information of changes in its environment. In fact, the hairs dispersed over its exoskeletal surface, are also used as integral sensorial instruments, and are known as "setae, evident on this antenna in this SEM.
Created: 2006