VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING IN INSECTS

Abstract

This report describes mathematical analysis, behavior experiments, and neurophysiological experiments aimed at determining the mechanisms of visual perception in insects. The behavioral experiments with the beetle Lixus indicate that spatial processing involving autocorrelation is being performed among the ommatidia of the eye. This processing was studied by means of an optomotor reaction involving a turning tendency with movement in the visual field. Visual processing in the beetle Lixus was also studied by means of microelectrode recording of electrical nervous activity. The electroretinogram (ERG) was measured for various visual stimuli and Bode diagrams were determined for small changes in light intensity. Nonlinear effects were also noted for large changes in light intensity. Spike potentials were obtained from a single cell which fired with a change in light intensity. Spike potentials were also obtained from the ventral nerve cord, anterior thoracic region, and motor nerve stump of the first joint of the right front leg. A functional model is proposed to explain the behavioral and neurophysiological results.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0414386

Entities

People

  • James C. Bliss

Organizations

  • SRI International

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Sciences
  • California
  • Cells
  • Central Nervous System
  • Circuits
  • Computers
  • Data Displays
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Frequency
  • Information Processing
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Light Pulses
  • Light Sources
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Nervous System
  • Networks

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Neuroscience
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.