Summary
Olfactory receptor and standing potentials of maleZygaena filipendulae andBombyx mori were recorded from isolated antennae before and after exposure to hydrogen cyanide. Exposure of two minutes caused a transient decrease and complete recovery of both potentials inZ filipendulae, while an exposure of 0.5 min led to disappearance of these parameters inB. mori. Mechanisms of cyanide resistance are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Eisner, T., Meinwald, J.: Defensive secretions of Arthropods. Science (N.Y.)153, 1341–1350 (1966)
Hall, F. R., Hollingworth, R. M., Shankland, D. L.: Cyanide tolerance in millipedes: the biochemical basis. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.38 B, 723–737 (1971)
Jones, D. A., Parsons, J., Rothschild, M.: Release of hydrocyanic acid from crushed tissues of all stages in the life-cycle of species of the Zygaeninae (Lepidoptera). Nature (Lond.)193, 52–53 (1962)
Jordan, K.: In Seitz, A.: Die Groß-Schmetterlinge der Erde, Bd. 2, Zygaenidae, Widderchen, S. 3–34. 1913
Koyama, N., Kurihara, K.: Modification by chemical reagents of proteins in the gustatory and olfactory organs of the Fleshfly and Cockroach. J. Insect Physiol.17, 2435–2440 (1971)
Mahler, H. R., Cordes, E. H.: Biological chemistry, p. 583–602. New York-Evanston-London-Tokyo: Harper & Row and J. Weatherhill Inc. 1966
Kaissling, K. -E.: Insect olfaction. In: Handbook of sensory physiology, vol. IV, (ed. L. M. Beidler), p. 369–371. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1971
Schneider, D.: Elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen von Chemo- und Mechano- rezeptoren der Antenne des SeidenspinnersBombyx mori L. Z. vergl. Physiol.40, 8–41 (1957)
Schneider, D., Block, B. C., Boeckh, J., Priesner, E.: Die Reaktion der männlichen Seidenspinner auf Bombykol und seine Isomeren: Elektroantennogramm und Verhalten. Z. vergl. Physiol.54, 192–209 (1967)
Thurm, U.: An insect mechanoreceptor, Part II: Receptor potentials. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol.30, 83–94 (1965)
Thurm, U.: Untersuchungen zur funktionellen Organisation sensorischer Zell- verbände. Verh. dtsch. zool. Ges.64, 79–88 (1970)
Thurm, U.: The generation of receptor potentials in epithelial receptors. IV. Int. Symp. Olfaction and Taste (ed. D. Schneider), p. 95–101. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftl. Verlagsges. 1972
Yust, H. R., Shelden, F. F.: A study of the physiology of resistance to hydrocyanic acid in the California red scale. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer.45, 220–228 (1952)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
We thank Dr. E. Priesner for hints concerning biotopes ofZ. filipendulae, Miss I. Block for experimental help, Drs. U. Thurm and R. Villet for helpful criticism, and the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk for financial support.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Levinson, H.Z., Kaissling, K.E. & Levinson, A.R. Olfaction and cyanide sensitivity in the six-spot burnet mothZygaena filipendulae and the silkmothBombyx mori . J. Comp. Physiol. 86, 209–214 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696340
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696340