Observations on the Effect of an Excitatory-Inhibitory Stimulus on the Landing Reaction of the Fly, Calliphoridae

Abstract

This research investigates at a behavioral level the sensitivity to movement of the visual system of Calliphora, inferred from the motor response of the landing reaction, to observe the variations of the threshold of velocity of the landing reaction during simultaneous introduction of both excitatory (landing) and inhibitory (antilanding) stimuli. Analysis supports the hypothesis that the interaction of opposing stimuli decreases the sensitivity to movement. Moreover, no effect was observed when the number of stimuli per unit time increased.