Abstract
The pit organs of the beetle Melanophilaacuminata were stimulated with monochromatic infrared radiation using a continuous wave CO overtone infrared laser. Best sensitivity was in the wavelength range 2.8–3.5 μm. In this range a stimulus intensity of 14.7 mW cm−2 was sufficient to generate single action potentials. At a wavelength of 5 μm receptor performance significantly decreased. An increase in stimulus intensity caused a decrease in response latency and an increase in the number of action potentials elicited. At a given wavelength (3.4 μm) the dynamic amplitude range of action potential responses covered 12 dB. At high stimulus intensities (94.2 mW cm−2) a stimulus duration of 4 ms was sufficient to generate one to two action potentials and a stimulus duration of 60 ms already caused response saturation (with up to nine action potentials). In a repetitive stimulus regime distinct receptor potentials were visible up to a frequency of 600 Hz.
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Accepted: 18 March 2000
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Schmitz, H., Mürtz, M. & Bleckmann, H. Responses of the infrared sensilla of Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) to monochromatic infrared stimulation. J Comp Physiol A 186, 543–549 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003590000109
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003590000109