title: Infrared spectral sensitivity of Melanophila acuminata.
abstract: The spectral sensitivity of the pit organ of the beetle Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera:Buprestidae) was measured using an ultrafast tunable infrared laser source and standard electrophysiological techniques. The pit organ may be classified as a broadband detector as the beetles responded to all infrared excitation wavelengths from 2 to 6&mgr;m. There was a decrease in response threshold and latency and an increase in the magnitude of the response in the region from 2.8 to 3.5&mgr;m, which corresponded to a region of decreased transmittance (increased absorbance) as measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The implications of the correlation between spectral response and optical properties are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas, 78712, Austin, TX, USA
authors.forename: D X.
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seigert
authors.forename: M O.
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: H G.
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Rylander
authors.forename: A J.
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Welch