All beetles have antennae, although they are

often strongly modified. The antennae are

composed of a number of segments – 11
being the most typical, while the greatest
number known to adult forms seems to be
around 40. (Male prionine longhorn beetles
have 40 or even more segments each.)
There are beetles with simpler antennae
with fewer segments – the antennae of some
species have only two segments. Their primary
function is to smell and probe, providing the
beetle with important information about its
environment, the shape of objects within its
reach, the whereabouts of its mate, food,
possible enemies and so on. The beetle’s
antennae can also perceive electromagnetic
waves, infra-red radiation and can gauge the
humidity of the air.
Beetles can smell the tiniest traces of
odours, such as the pheromones of a mate
or the appetising aroma of food. They
gather this information through microscopic
sense cells on the surface of the antennae,
which sometimes seems to be
disproportionately long. Some of the
Melittomma sp. (Lymexylidae). This beetle has large
compound eyes.

longicorn beetles (Cerambycidae) have the

longest antennae, although a few of the
tropical snout beetles (Anthribidae) also
have extremely long antennae.
Hairs, side branches and other
expansions often enlarge the surface of the
antenna – the larger the surface, the more
sensory cells it can accommodate. The
antennae of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea
have several lamellate extensions at their
extremities. These plates or lamellas can be
spread, thus acting very efficiently as
olfactory locators. Other beetles, such as
members of the ground beetle subfamily
Paussinae (Carabidae) also have highly
developed, complex antennae.