Morphology of the antennae of the female workers of the ponerine ant Dinoponera lucida was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. In several antennomers, we found secretory gland cells of class I and III. Class III gland cells release their secretion through single pores in the antennal surface, whereas class I secretory cells are seen as tall epidermal cells close to the cuticle. Both gland types have weak reaction for total proteins and neutral polysaccharides. Six distinct sensilla types were observed: trichodea, chaetica, campaniform, basiconica, placodea, and coeloconica. The possible sensory functions of these sensilla and the gland functions are discussed.

The sensilla are sensory organs formed by cuticular and cellular structures specialized in reception of chemical and physical stimuli from the environment and transmission to the insect's central nervous system. In function of the great concentration of sensilla, the antennae are the main organs for interaction between bees and with the environment. This work studied the presence of antennal sensilla in the different phases of pupal development of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides by means of scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. The results showed that antennal sensilla begin their development in the transition of the prepupae to the white-eyed pupae and finish it in the pigmented-body pupae phase. The antennal sensilla were exposed to the environment in the black-eyed pupae when the old cuticle is completely digested, suggesting that only in the final pupal phases can these bees perceive the environmental stimuli.