Antennae

Antennae, paired sensory appendage on the head of most insects, crustaceans, and other arthropods. Nerves on the antennae are sensitive to vibrations, heat, water vapor, or chemicals. Hairs on the antennae of male mosquitoes pick up female sounds as far as one-quarter mi (0.4 km) away, while June bugs have pits in their antennae that help them smell. Most insects have 1 pair of antennae; crustaceans, such as lobsters and crabs, have 2 pairs.