Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Plumose antennae are present in female mosquito
Statement II: Pilose antennae are present in male mosquito
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
• D. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect

Hint:

To remember mosquito antennal dimorphism: males have feather-like (plumose) antennae to hear females, while females have sparse, thread-like (pilose) antennae.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Antennae are primary sensory organs that exhibit sexual dimorphism in certain insect groups.
In mosquitoes (family Culicidae), this dimorphism is associated with their mating behavior and auditory communication.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the structure and function of antennae in male and female mosquitoes:
1. Male Mosquitoes: Male mosquitoes must locate flying females by detecting the sound of their wingbeats.
To facilitate this, their antennae are modified into the plumose type.
Plumose antennae are feather-like, covered with whorls of long, dense hairs that act as sound receptors.
These hairs vibrate in response to the wingbeat frequency of a nearby female, transmitting the stimulus to Johnston's organ in the antennal base.
Therefore, Statement II, which states that male mosquitoes have pilose antennae, is incorrect.
2. Female Mosquitoes: Female mosquitoes do not need to locate males by sound in the same manner.
Their antennae are modified into the pilose type.
Pilose antennae are simpler, thread-like structures with fewer, shorter hairs.
Therefore, Statement I, which states that female mosquitoes have plumose antennae, is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect because the antennal designations are reversed.