Visual stimuli induced by self-motion and object-motion modify odour-guided flight of male moths (Manduca sexta L.).
Animals rely on multimodal sensory integration for proper orientation within their environment. For example, odour-guided behaviours often require appropriate integration of concurrent visual cues. To gain a further understanding of mechanisms underlying sensory integration in odour-guided behaviour, our study examined the effects of visual stimuli induced by self-motion and object-motion on odour-guided flight in male M. sexta. By placing stationary objects (pillars) on either side of a female pheromone plume, moths produced self-induced visual motion during odour-guided flight. These flights showed a reduction in both ground and flight speeds and inter-turn interval when compared with flight tracks without stationary objects. Presentation of an approaching 20 cm disc, to simulate object-motion, resulted in interrupted odour-guided flight and changes in flight direction away from the pheromone source. Modifications of odour-guided flight behaviour in the presence of stationary objects suggest that visual information, in conjunction with olfactory cues, can be used to control the rate of counter-turning. We suggest that the behavioural responses to visual stimuli induced by object-motion indicate the presence of a neural circuit that relays visual information to initiate escape responses. These behavioural responses also suggest the presence of a sensory conflict requiring a trade-off between olfactory and visually driven behaviours. The mechanisms underlying olfactory and visual integration are discussed in the context of these behavioural responses.
Verspui
Remko
R
Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E2.
Gray
John R
JR
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005426:Flight, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018402:Manduca / Q000502:physiology*; D009038:Motion; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D009812:Odorants; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*