Sensory Regulation of Wing Twisting in Locusts

Abstract

1. The campaniform sensilla of the wings are necessary for the regulation of wing twisting in locusts. Control of forewing twisting during periods of constant lift depends upon the hind-wing sensilla being intact, whereas the forewing sensilla are essential for stability about the three body axes. 2. The campaniform sensilla are located on the ventral surface of the wings. Two groups are present on the subcosta of the forewing and one on the subcosta of the hind-wing. A few single sensilla occur on the costa. The cuticular parts of sensilla from distal and proximal forewing groups differ with respect to the lengths of their ovally shaped cuticular parts. The sensilla are orientated with the cupolas parallel to the long axis of the wing, except for those of the proximal forewing group, which are arranged in a fan. 3. During steady-state flights activity from campaniform units was high during the downstroke and low during the first part of the upstroke. Significant changes in the response were found to occur when the body angle was changed. 4. The effect of a 15° change in body angle on the motor output to the basalar and subalar muscles is described. At the start of a flight these motor patterns are rather unstable, units falling in and out. Stability is gained within 10 sec. 5. A distinct part of the response from the campaniform units in the hindwings can be abolished by the application of an anodic block. The duration of the blocking pulse equalled one-sixth of the flight period. The effect on regulation of forewing twisting varied according to the part of the response which is removed. Regulation could be abolished almost completely when the anodic block was introduced during the first part of the hindwing downstroke. When the anodic block is removed, twist regulation builds up again and is completed within 100-150 wing-beats. 6. Free flights including both intact and deafferentated animals made possible an evaluation of the importance of the different groups in stability reactions. It was shown that control of angular movement is accomplished by the forewing groups only, especially the proximal ones. 7. The integrative processes within the pterothoracic ganglia are discussed. During the constant-lift reaction, the slow, intersegmental reflex for control of forewing twisting seems to depend on central processing and memorizing of measurements of total lift. The sensory input from the hindwings is phasic and patterned, but it is still undecided whether it is the phase or the pattern which is the essential parameter.