What is an antenna?

An antenna is a sensory organ, or appendage, on the head of insects and crustaceans (crabs and lobsters). It is a feeler. It feels air, heat, vibrations, and it can even sense smell. 

The plural of antenna is antennae. Animals have two antennae. 

Insect antennae can be many different shapes and sizes. They can be long or short, thick or thin, segmented or non-segmented, and branched or unbranched. 

For example, serrated antennae look like saws. Plumose antennae look like feathers. Clubbed antennae look like golf clubs. 

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Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM