author(s)
Barsagade DD, Nagose SB, Kirsan JR and Thakare MP

abstract
Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies on the legs of the arboreal bicoloured ant, Tetraponera rufonigra was investigated. The ants were collected from the colony of arboreal bicoloured ant on the Ficus benghalensis tree observed in RTM Nagpur University Campus, Nagpur during the period of January to February 2017. The SEM structure revealed that the entire surface of coxa consists of two types of sensilla, sensilla trichoidea (ST) and fine setae-like hairs, trichomes (TRC) while, trochanter contain sensilla trichoidea. The femur showed sensilla trichoidea (ST) arises from the hexagonal cuticular plate (CP). The mid and hind tibia showed a reduced spine-like tibial spur (TBS) with fine cuticular bristles (CCB) differentiated into CCB-I and CCB- II. The metatarsus of foreleg showed three types of sensilla, ST, TRC and comb like bristles (CMB) however; the metatarsus of mid and hind legs contain macrosetae, ST and TRC. All tarsomeres bear numerous bristles, setae and TRC on the entire surface while, surface of foreleg pretarsus showed macrosetae and sensilla trichoidea curvata (STC). The pretarsi contain sensilla and the mid dorsal surface of claws shows ST, STC and TRC.