2. Filiform antenna is the most basic type found very common in the insect world. This is typically elongated and
composed uniform segments and appear thread-like shape.
Example: Ground beetles and cockroaches.
(Ground beetles are so called because many species do not fly and lack hind wings).
Filiform Antenna-Thread-like antenna
Solitary bee Assassin Bug
3. Aristate Antenna – Pouch like antenna
Latin, Arista = awn
Aristate antennae are pouch-like with a lateral
bristle. The last segment of the flagellum is
enlarged and bears bristle or arista.
Eg. House flies
4. CAPITATE ANTENNAE – KNOBBED ANTENNAE
The proximal segments of the flagellum
are uniform is size while the segments of
the distal end modify into a large knob or
capitulum.
Eg. Chalcids, Butterflies, Antlions,
Owlflies, etc.
This is another type of club but in this case,
the terminal segments are distinctly and
abruptly enlarged.
5. The segments start off narrow and gradually become wider towards the tip of the flagellum. This may be gradual along
its length, or a sudden increase and therefore mainly affecting the last few segments giving the appearance of a club.
Ex: 1. Carrion beetles (adults generally feed on decaying animal matter or on the maggots that feed on carrion)
2. water scavenger beetles (Hydrohilus triangularis)
(Hydrohilus triangularis) Carrion beetles
Clavate antenna – Clubbed antenna
6. Geniculate antenna – Elbowed antenna
Clearly, the geniculate antennae have a distinct abrupt bend or elbow part down the length. The first
segment (segment that attaches to the head-arrow) is elongated and much longer the remaining
segments.
Eg. Most ants, weevils and some beetles.
Weevil
7. Moniliform antennae – Bead like antenna
Moniliform antennae are the beadlike antennae, look rather like a string of pearls This form of antenna
is found in termites and some beetles.
Termite (Pterotermes occidentis)
8. Setaceous Antenna-Bristle/whip like antenna
Dragonfly
The antennae are hair-like, tiny and almost invisible to the naked eye. There are many joints. The flagellar segments
taper gradually from the base to the tip . i.e., Setaceous antennae have a bristle/whip-like shape.
Eg. Dragonflies, Bristletails, Cockroaches, Mayflies, Stoneflies, Caddishflies, Cicadas, etc.
Cicada (Cacama valvata)
9. Pectinate Antenna- Comb like antenna
Click Beetle
The segments are longer on one side (uni pectinate) or on both the sides (bipectinate).
This gives the appearance of a comb. The lateral extensions are called rami.
Eg. Sawflies, Beetles, Glow-worms, silkmoth (bipectinate), etc.
10. Serrate Antenna-Saw-toothed antenna
Firefly with Serrate Antennae
The segments are trianglar with uncentric arrangement either on one side (uniserrate) or
on both the sides (biserrate) giving the appearance of a saw edge. Eg.Click beetle,
longicorn beetle, firefly, etc.
11. Lamellate Antenna-Fan/Leaf like antenna
This is a type of asymmetrically clubbed antennae where the terminal club is composed
of several rounded sheet-like lobes that are expanded laterally. This gives the
appearance of a fan/leaf.
Eg. Beetles
Scarab Beetle
12. Flabellate Antenna
This type is similar to lamellate but differing in that the terminal lobes are parallel-sided
and are not capable of being rolled into a tight fitting ball. Eg. Stag beetles.
Stag Beetle
13. Each of the segments have a number of fine thread-like hair. This gives the appearance
of a feather. i.e., Plumose antennae have a brush or feather-like shape.
Example: Moths, Flies and male mosquitoes.
Plumose-Feather like
