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Photoresponses of second-instar Chaoborus larvae

Publication ,  Journal Article
Swift, MC; Forward, RB
Published in: Journal of Insect Physiology
January 1, 1982

The diel vertical migration of Chaoborus larvae varies with larval instar. Although light is involved in the control of vertical migration the contribution of larval photoresponses is unknown. In order to describe ontogenetic changes in larval photoresponses we measured photoresponses of second-instar Chaoborus punctipennis larvae in the laboratory. The response spectrum of these larvae had peaks in sensitivity at 420 and 620 nm with a wide plateau of lower sensitivity from 460 to 600 and 640 to 680 nm. Dark adapted larvae were positively phototactic at intensities from 10-7 to 101 Wm-2 at 420 nm. The level of response decreased somewhat above 10-4 Wm-2, and above 10-2 Wm-2 a small proportion of larvae shifted to a negative phototaxis. At 420 nm the threshold intensity was about 10-7 Wm-2 for positive phototaxis and 10-2 Wm-2 for negative phototaxis. Light adaptation increased the threshold intensity for positive phototaxis. The differences in larval photoresponses between second- and fourth-instar larvae suggests that the young instars are adapted to the photoenvironment of the water column and older larvae are adapted to avoid the water column except at very low light intensities. These predictions match the diel distribution of these larvae. © 1982.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Insect Physiology

DOI

ISSN

0022-1910

Publication Date

January 1, 1982

Volume

28

Issue

2

Start / End Page

183 / 187

Related Subject Headings

  • Entomology
  • 3208 Medical physiology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 0608 Zoology
  • 0606 Physiology
  • 0604 Genetics
 

Citation

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Swift, M. C., & Forward, R. B. (1982). Photoresponses of second-instar Chaoborus larvae. Journal of Insect Physiology, 28(2), 183–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(82)90127-5
Swift, M. C., and R. B. Forward. “Photoresponses of second-instar Chaoborus larvae.” Journal of Insect Physiology 28, no. 2 (January 1, 1982): 183–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(82)90127-5.
Swift MC, Forward RB. Photoresponses of second-instar Chaoborus larvae. Journal of Insect Physiology. 1982 Jan 1;28(2):183–7.
Swift, M. C., and R. B. Forward. “Photoresponses of second-instar Chaoborus larvae.” Journal of Insect Physiology, vol. 28, no. 2, Jan. 1982, pp. 183–87. Scopus, doi:10.1016/0022-1910(82)90127-5.
Swift MC, Forward RB. Photoresponses of second-instar Chaoborus larvae. Journal of Insect Physiology. 1982 Jan 1;28(2):183–187.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Insect Physiology

DOI

ISSN

0022-1910

Publication Date

January 1, 1982

Volume

28

Issue

2

Start / End Page

183 / 187

Related Subject Headings

  • Entomology
  • 3208 Medical physiology
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 0608 Zoology
  • 0606 Physiology
  • 0604 Genetics