1. small sensory organs or structures found on the bodies of arthropods, especially insects, that detect stimuli such as touch, taste, smell, or sound
Usage: biology; entomology; plural form

Examples

• The insect’s antennae are covered with thousands of sensilla that help it detect pheromones.
• Researchers studied the sensilla on the butterfly’s proboscis to understand how it tastes nectar.
• Each sensilla contains specialized receptor cells that respond to specific chemical signals.
• The spider’s legs have mechanoreceptive sensilla that detect vibrations in its web.
• Scientists used electron microscopy to examine the structure of the sensilla on the beetle’s surface.
• Different types of sensilla allow insects to perceive their environment in remarkable detail.