Development of connectivity in a motoneuronal network in Drosophila larvae.

Background: Much of our understanding of how neural networks develop is based on studies of sensory systems, revealing often highly stereotyped patterns of connections, particularly as these diverge from the presynaptic terminals of sensory neurons. We know considerably less about the wiring strategies of motor networks, where connections converge onto the dendrites of motoneurons. Here, we investigated patterns of synaptic connections between identified motoneurons with sensory neurons and interneurons in the motor network of the Drosophila larva and how these change as it develops.

Function and central projections of gustatory receptor neurons on the antenna of the noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis.

Chemosensory information is crucial for most insects to feed and reproduce. Olfactory signals are mainly used at a distance, whereas gustatory stimuli play an important role when insects directly contact chemical substrates. In noctuid moths, although the antennae are the main olfactory organ, they also bear taste sensilla.

Constancy and variability of identified glomeruli in antennal lobes: computational approach in Spodoptera littoralis.

The primary olfactory centres share striking similarities across the animal kingdom. The most conspicuous is their subdivision into glomeruli, which are spherical neuropil masses in which synaptic contacts between sensory and central neurons occur. Glomeruli have both an anatomical identity (being invariant in location, size and shape) and a functional identity (each glomerulus receiving afferents from olfactory receptor neurons that express the same olfactory receptor).

Three-dimensional antennal lobe atlas of the oriental fruit moth, Cydia molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): comparison of male and female glomerular organization.

The oriental fruit moth Cydia molesta is an important pest and the behavioural role of olfactory signals such as pheromones and plant volatiles have been studied extensively in both sexes. To understand odour processing further, however, detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the olfactory system is crucial. In the present study, an atlas of the antennal lobe (AL) is presented based on the three-dimensional reconstructions of both ALs of three male and three female brains by means of neuroanatomical and computational approaches.

Antennal pathways in the central nervous system of a blood-sucking bug, Rhodnius prolixus.

The haematophagous bug Rhodnius prolixus has been a model system in insect physiology for a long time. Recently, several studies have been devoted to its sensory systems, including olfaction. However, few data are available on the basic organisation of the nervous system in this species.

Temporal modulation and adaptive control of the behavioural response to odours in Rhodnius prolixus.

It has been demonstrated in several insect species that a circadian clock makes the whole of antennal chemoreceptors more sensitive during a particular temporal window every day. This assessment raises the question about how insects exhibiting bimodal activity handle their sensitivity to odours which are relevant at different moments of the day. To shed some light on this problem, we studied in Rhodnius prolixus the daily dynamics of their responsiveness to CO(2) (host-associated cue) and aggregation cues (refuge-associated), which are relevant at dusk and dawn, respectively.

Feeding preference of Macrolophus caliginosus (Heteroptera: Miridae) on Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae).

A study of predation choices of Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae) late instars and adults, when offered various developmental stages (eggs and nymphs) of the recently established whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), was made based on two preference indices. In addition, prey choices of late instars when presented with three ratios of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and B. tabaci at a similar developmental stage (eggs, young or late instars) were assessed.