Sense organs on the antennal flagellum of the human louse, Pediculus humanus (Anoplura)

Tactile hairs are present on all three segments of the antennal flagellum of the human louse. These is, in addition, a single chemoreceptor (tuft organ) on segment 2 and 12 or 13 chemoreceptors (one tuft organ, two pore organs and nine or ten pegs) on segment 3. The cutical surrounding the bases of the pegs at the tip of the antenna is unusual in that parts of it are perforated by many fine pores. The cuticle is underlain by a thin layer of dendrites. This region may also have a chemoreceptor function.