1. small sensory organs or structures found on the bodies of arthropods, especially insects, that detect chemical, mechanical, or other stimuli
Usage: biology; entomology; plural form

Examples

• The insect’s antennae are covered with thousands of tiny sensillae.
• Sensillae on the butterfly’s feet help it taste potential food sources.
• Researchers studied the sensillae to understand how moths detect pheromones.
• The spider’s sensillae can detect the slightest vibrations in its web.
• Different types of sensillae respond to various environmental stimuli.
• The sensillae on the cricket’s cerci are sensitive to air currents.