At a magnification twice that of PHIL 9933, 1531X, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed even more of the morphologic details found at the tip of this adult figeater beetle’s, Cotinis mutabilis, maxillary galea, which due to its shape, was given this Latin name for helmet. The galea is located just medial to another, more prominent maxillary appendage, the palpus. Note the concave configuration at the distal tip of the galea, and how there are numerous pointed protuberances inside this concavity, which are most probably sensorial in nature. See PHIL 9932 and 9933, for additional views of this structure at lower magnifications, and therefore, more of its overall configuration.
Created: 2007