Abstract: The ultramorphology of sensilla on the proboscis in three pest noctuid moths of agricultural significance, the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), the Oriental tobacco budworm moth H. assulta (Guenée), and the silver looper moth Argyrogramma agnata (Staudinger), were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and compared to reveal the ultramorphological differences of the proboscis sensilla among these noctuid moths. The results showed that sexual dimorphism is not found in types of the proboscis sensilla in these species. The proboscises in H. armigera and H. assulta are similar in sensillum types and morphology, sharing similar sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla styloconica. Sensilla styloconica bear prominent ridges and are densely borne on the distal part of the proboscis. The proboscis in A. agnata, however, bears sensilla coeloconica in addition to the three types of sensilla mentioned above; sensilla styloconica are slender, lack prominent ridges, and are sparsely distributed on the distal part of the proboscis. The results suggest that the proboscis sensilla can be used in the classification and phylogenetic analysis of the Noctuidae.

Key words: Noctuidae, Helicoverpa armigera, H. assulta, Argyrogramma agnata, sensillum, mouthparts, proboscis, ultramorphology