Static electric fields modify the locomotory behaviour of cockroaches

Jackson, Chris; Hunt, E.; Sharkh, Suleiman M.; Newland, Philip L.

doi:10.1242/jeb.053470

Cited by 27 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Electric fields can act on mechanoreceptors of their cuticular appendages if these appendages are charged, and indeed such fields have been used to stimulate insect mechanosensory organs [15,27]. Electric fields induce responses in insects [7,8,28]. A biologically relevant property of body surface charge in pollinating insects was traced to the opposite polarity of their body surface charge to that of flowers, potentially facilitating pollen collection and possibly leaving a cue after electrical neutralization of the flowers' electric field [9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reception and learning of electric fields in bees

et al. 2013

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Honeybees, like other insects, accumulate electric charge in flight, and when their body parts are moved or rubbed together. We report that bees emit constant and modulated electric fields when flying, landing, walking and during the waggle dance. The electric fields emitted by dancing bees consist of low-and high-frequency components. Both components induce passive antennal movements in stationary bees according to Coulomb's law. Bees learn both the constant and the modulated electric field components in the context of appetitive proboscis extension response conditioning. Using this paradigm, we identify mechanoreceptors in both joints of the antennae as sensors. Other mechanoreceptors on the bee body are potentially involved but are less sensitive. Using laser vibrometry, we show that the electrically charged flagellum is moved by constant and modulated electric fields and more strongly so if sound and electric fields interact. Recordings from axons of the Johnston organ document its sensitivity to electric field stimuli. Our analyses identify electric fields emanating from the surface charge of bees as stimuli for mechanoreceptors, and as biologically relevant stimuli, which may play a role in social communication.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reception and learning of electric fields in bees

et al. 2013

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“…Drosophila, like cockroaches [6] and other Diptera [31], show clear avoidance of static electric fields [32]. What is notable about Drosophila is that the wings had a major role to play in avoidance, while the antennae are involved in cockroaches [7].…”

Section: (B) Avoidance Movementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other studies have suggested that accumulation of charge during flight could assist foraging and pollination through the transfer of pollen grains onto plant stigmata [3][4][5]. Static electric fields can also lead to changes in walking [6,7] and avoidance behaviour [6,8], and influence locomotion and agitation [9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to static electric fields leads to changes in biogenic amine levels in the brains ofDrosophila

et al. 2015

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Natural and anthropogenic static electric fields are commonly found in the environment and can have both beneficial and harmful effects on many animals. Here, we asked how the fruitfly responds to these fields and what the consequences of exposure are on the levels of biogenic amines in the brain. When given a choice in a Y-tube bioassay Drosophila avoided electric fields, and the greater the field strength the more likely Drosophila were to avoid it. By comparing wild-type flies, flies with wings surgically removed and vestigial winged flies we found that the presence of intact wings was necessary to produce avoidance behaviour. We also show that Coulomb forces produced by electric fields physically lift excised wings, with the smaller wings of males being raised by lower field strengths than larger female wings. An analysis of neurochemical changes in the brains showed that a suite of changes in biogenic amine levels occurs following chronic exposure. Taken together we conclude that physical movements of the wings are used by Drosophila in generating avoidance behaviour and are accompanied by changes in the levels of amines in the brain, which in turn impact on behaviour.

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“…Other insects have been shown to detect and behaviourally respond to electric fields with aversive reactions. For example, a proprioreceptor at the antennal base of American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattodea: Blattidae), detects electric fields prompting an avoidance response (Hunt et al, 2005;Newland et al, 2008;Jackson et al, 2011). The cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (H€ ubner), avoids static electric fields (Perumpral et al, 1978).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural responses of diverse insect groups to electric stimuli

Wijenberg

Hayden

Takács

et al. 2013

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Anecdotal evidence suggests that cockroaches respond to electrical appliances or outlets. Our objectives were to determine the effect of field‐inducing sources and field attributes on attraction of German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae), and to test those parameters found effective for attraction of B. germanica for attraction of other groups of insects. In two‐choice, large‐arena experiments, significantly more female, but not nymphal, B. germanica settled in or near electrified coils with static or fluctuating electromagnetic fields produced by low‐level direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) sources than in control coils without current. Electromagnetic fields with the magnetic, but not the electric, component of the field nulled still attracted B. germanica, suggesting that the electric component of the field may contribute to the attraction or arrestment response of B. germanica. DC‐powered coils with static electromagnetic fields also attracted/arrested brown‐banded cockroaches, Supella longipalpa (Fabricius) (Blattodea: Blattellidae), common silverfish, Lepisma saccharina (L.), firebrats, Thermobia domestica (Packard) (both Thysanura: Lepismatidae), and European earwigs, Forficula auricularia (L.) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), but they repelled American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattodea: Blattidae). If proven in field experiments, electrified coils as trap baits may offer non‐toxic alternatives to pesticides for selective insect control in urban environments.

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Static electric fields modify the locomotory behaviour of cockroaches

Cited by 27 publications

References 44 publications

Reception and learning of electric fields in bees

Reception and learning of electric fields in bees

Exposure to static electric fields leads to changes in biogenic amine levels in the brains ofDrosophila

Behavioural responses of diverse insect groups to electric stimuli

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