The complex and conspicuous basket-like structure attached to the third segment of each maxillary palp of Melittomma sericeum males is densely covered with tactile hairs on its outer or convex surface and with thinwalled chemoreceptors on its inner or concave surface. In a living male the structure is highly mobile and is extended laterally and ventrally. It evidently serves to detect odors produced by the female.
Copyright © 1975 Wiley-Liss, Inc.