ISSN:
1570-7458
Keywords:
spruce budworm
;
amino acids
;
chemosensilla
;
electrophysiology
;
gustation
;
Lepidoptera
;
Tortricidae
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract An electrophysiological approach was used to record the responses of maxillary styloconic sensilla of fourth- and sixth-instar larvae of the spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana to 14 amino acids. One cell in the lateral styloconic sensillum was identified as an amino acid-sensitive neuron. All of the amino acids tested, except l-proline and l-arginine, were detected by this cell. Arginine did not evoke a response from either the medial or lateral styloconic sensilla. Proline evoked responses from a cell in the medial styloconic sensillum. It is known from previous behavioural work that l-proline is a phagostimulant and l-valine inhibits feeding in Choristoneura; we thus further characterized the responses to these two amino acids. For both instars, l-proline was detected as low as 0.001 mmol/l and the maximal response was at 50 mmol/l. Stimulation of fourth- and sixth-instar larvae with l-valine showed that the maximum firing frequency was obtained at 1 mmol/l. Above and below this concentration, firing frequency decreases. Sensory responses to the amino acids stimuli did not correlate with known behavioral responses to similar stimuli.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1003136629671
