Abstract
The paths of Colorado beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say)in a featureless environment are circular. This behavior is explained by an internal asymmetry. To stabilize the path, the fixation reaction or the optomotor response must work against this asymmetry. The turning behavior was examined in stationary patterns of vertical stripes different at spatial wavelengths (λ). The internal asymmetry was tested in a horizontally striped pattern. A stable fixation reaction was found only for Λ ≥ 120 °. The results suggest that larger intrinsic turning tendencies shifts the stable point of the fixation reaction. The same vertically striped patterns were rotated to examine the following reaction of the beetle. It is concluded that the fixation component of the response of these insects, in particular, does not differ in the two situations.
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Lönnendonker, U. Optomotor reaction and fixation of walking colorado beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Course control aspects. J Insect Behav 4, 347–365 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048283
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048283