WAVE-LENGTH DISCRIMINATION IN INSECTS.
Abstract
(A) Local electroretinograms were evoked by monochromatic stimuli (300-600 millimicrons) in the dark-adapted state and in the presence of monochromatic fatiguing lights from the dorsal-posterior and the anterior-ventral eye regions of the backswimmer, Notonecta irrorata. The spectral sensitivity curve for the dark-adapted state of both eye regions has a major peak at 530 millimicrons and a minor peak at 370 millimicrons. With monochromatic fatiguing lights the curve for the dorsal-posterior region was fractionated into three components believed to represent three classes of photoreceptors: a UV class with a single peak of sensitivity at 370 millimicrons; a blue class with major peak at 480 millimicrons and minor peak at 370 millimicrons; a green class with major peak at 530 millimicrons and minor peak at 370 millimicrons. For the anterior-ventral eye region the UV class and the green class are unmistakably present; the blue class may be present but is much harder to demonstrate. (B) A similar study was conducted on the visual system of the adult praying mantis, Tenodera sinensis. Spectral sensitivities were determined for three regions of the compound eye and for the median dorsal ocellus. All components of the visual system show a major peak of sensitivity at 510 millimicrons and a minor peak at 360-370 millimicrons. Attempts to fractionate the spectral sensitivity curve with monochromatic fatiguing lights failed. The evidence thus far is consistent with the view that all parts of the visual system contain the same, single class of photoreceptor. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0648965
Entities
People
- Charles R. Sontag
- Philip R. Ruck
Organizations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison