Effects of Electrostatic Field on Locational Preference of House Flies
1
and Flight Activities of Cabbage Loopers
23

Perumpral, John V.; Earp, U. F.; Stanley, J.

doi:10.1093/ee/7.3.482

Cited by 23 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Electric fields of strengths that occur under high voltage power cables have led to studies of the possible adverse effects of electric fields on insects, including chromosome aberrations and paralysis (McCann et al, 1993;McCann et al, 1998;Watson, 1984), and changes in locomotion and movement (Edwards, 1960a;Edwards, 1961;Perumpral et al, 1978). However, despite these reports, there have been few systematic analyses of the behavioural responses of insects to static and VLF electric fields.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Static electric field detection and behavioural avoidance in cockroaches

Newland

Hunt

Sharkh

et al. 2008

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYElectric fields are pervasively present in the environment and occur both as a result of man-made activities and through natural occurrence. We have analysed the behaviour of cockroaches to static electric fields and determined the physiological mechanisms that underlie their behavioural responses. The behaviour of animals in response to electric fields was tested using a Y-choice chamber with an electric field generated in one arm of the chamber. Locomotory behaviour and avoidance were affected by the magnitude of the electric fields with up to 85% of individuals avoiding the charged arm when the static electric field at the entrance to the arm was above 8-10 kV m -1 . Electric fields were found to cause a deflection of the antennae but when the antennae were surgically ablated, the ability of cockroaches to avoid electric fields was abolished. Fixation of various joints of the antennae indicated that hair plate sensory receptors at the base of the scape were primarily responsible for the detection of electric fields, and when antennal movements about the head-scape joint were prevented cockroaches failed to avoid electric fields. To overcome the technical problem of not being able to carry out electrophysiological analysis in the presence of electric fields, we developed a procedure using magnetic fields combined with the application of iron particles to the antennae to deflect the antennae and analyse the role of thoracic interneurones in signalling this deflection. The avoidance of electric fields in the context of high voltage power lines is discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Static electric field detection and behavioural avoidance in cockroaches

Newland

Hunt

Sharkh

et al. 2008

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Given the avoidance of electric fields previously reported in other insects (Maw 1964;Perumpral et al, 1978) and also exhibited by cockroaches (Newland et al, 2008), it is clear that many free-moving animals show a number of altered behaviours when exposed to static electric fields. In cockroaches, this was most apparent at high field strengths, which could be considered to be acting at repellent levels.…”

Section: Avoidance Of Electric Fieldsmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…It has been shown that flying insects, such as cabbage loopers, presented with a choice of a static electric field or no field exhibit a preference away from the field (Perumpral et al, 1978); more recently, Hunt et al (Hunt et al, 2005) and Newland et al (Newland et al, 2008) showed similar preferences in cockroaches. The present study goes further and demonstrates that at applied voltages in the range of 2-5kV, equivalent to substantial field strengths of 66-166kVm -1 , cockroaches spent less time in the field and were less likely to enter a field at greater field strengths.…”

Section: Avoidance Of Electric Fieldsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Flying insects presented with a choice of a static electric field or no field exhibit a preference for no field (Perumpral et al, 1978), yet it is not known whether such preferences are exhibited by terrestrial walking insects confronted with static electric fields and how such environments may alter normal locomotory behaviour. Given that static electric fields from power lines can have deleterious effects on some insect populations (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Static electric fields modify the locomotory behaviour of cockroaches

Jackson

Hunt

Sharkh

et al. 2011

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYStatic electric fields are found throughout the environment and there is growing interest in how electric fields influence insect behaviour. Here we have analysed the locomotory behaviour of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) in response to static electric fields at levels equal to and above those found in the natural environment. Walking behaviour (including velocity, distance moved, turn angle and time spent walking) were analysed as cockroaches approached an electric field boundary in an open arena, and also when continuously exposed to an electric field. On approaching an electric field boundary, the greater the electric field strength the more likely a cockroach would be to turn away from, or be repulsed by, the electric field. Cockroaches completely exposed to electric fields showed significant changes in locomotion by covering less distance, walking slowly and turning more often. This study highlights the importance of electric fields on the normal locomotory behaviour of insects.

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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%

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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Effects of Electrostatic Field on Locational Preference of House Flies 1 and Flight Activities of Cabbage Loopers 23

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Static electric field detection and behavioural avoidance in cockroaches

Static electric field detection and behavioural avoidance in cockroaches

Static electric fields modify the locomotory behaviour of cockroaches

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

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