insect
- Directional hearing in insects: biophysical, physiological and ecological challenges
Summary: This Review describes the biophysical, physiological and behavioural solutions that allow small insects to determine the direction of a sound source in space, even under complex field conditions.
- Spatial orientation based on multiple visual cues in non-migratory monarch butterflies
Summary: Non-migrating butterflies keep directed courses when viewing a simulated sun or panoramic scene. This suggests that they orient based on multiple visual cues independent of their migratory context.
- The glue produced by Drosophila melanogaster for pupa adhesion is universal
Highlighted Article: An adhesion test designed to measure the pull-off force required to detach Drosophila pupae showed that Drosophila glue adheres similarly to various substrates of different chemical properties.
- Spectral organization of the compound eye of a migrating nymphalid, the chestnut tiger butterfly Parantica sita
Summary: Eyes of chestnut tiger butterflies have UV-, blue- and green-sensitive cells and they are also polarization sensitive, which may be useful for visual orientation during migration.
- Hearing in caterpillars of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Highlighted Article: Monarch butterfly caterpillars use specialized hairs on their thorax to detect sounds, and respond by freezing and flicking – behaviours that are thought to prevent attacks by flying insect predators.
- High-speed locomotion in the Saharan silver ant, Cataglyphis bombycina
Highlighted Article: The Saharan silver ant performs high-speed locomotion with a characteristic high stride frequency, achieved by a combination of short stance phases and fast leg swing movements.
- The role of lateral optic flow cues in hawkmoth flight control
Summary: Hummingbird hawkmoths use optic flow similarly to flies and bees to control their position, but not their speed, in flight tunnel experiments.
- The neuropeptide CCHamide2 regulates diuresis in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus
Summary: The neuropeptide RhoprCCHamide2 has a dual diuretic effect, enhancing the serotonin-induced secretion by Malpighian tubules, and inhibiting serotonin-induced absorption across the anterior midgut in Rhodnius prolixus.