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THE INFRARED RECEPTIVE FIELDS OF MELANOPHILA ACUMINATA (COLEOPTERA: BUPRESTIDAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

W. G. Evans  and
J. E. Kuster
W. G. Evans
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3
J. E. Kuster
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3
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Abstract

Receptive fields of the infrared receptors located in sensory pits adjacent to the mesocoxal cavities of Melanophila acuminata were measured using a goniometric apparatus and plotted on a Mollweide homolographic projection. The receptive fields extend mainly in a lateral and ventral direction. The total receptive area in units of solid angle is 5.80 steradians but the simultaneous field of perception of infrared radiation of all the sensilla in a pit is only 0.42 steradian. Based on these findings and on other evidence we believe that the infrared-sensitive sensilla function during flight and are used by these beetles for detecting point sources of heat, such as forest fires, from long distances.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 112 , Issue 2 , 01 February 1980 , pp. 211 - 216
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1980

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