Journal of Medical Entomology (2012) 49, 94-100

J.W. Diclaro II, L.W. Cohnstaedt, R.M. Pereira, S.A. Allan and P.G. Koehler (2012)
Behavioral and physiological response of Musca domestica to colored visual targets
Journal of Medical Entomology 49 (1), 94-100
Abstract: A better understanding of the visual attraction of house flies to colors and patterns is needed to improve fly trap performance. This study combined physiological responses measured with electroretinogram studies of the house fly's compound eyes and ocelli with behavioral attraction of flies to reflective colors and patterns in light tunnel assays. Compound eye and ocellar electroretinogram responses to reflected light were similar, with the largest responses to white and blue followed by yellow, red, green, and black. However, data from light tunnel behavioral assays showed that flies were attracted to white and blue light but were repelled by yellow. The addition of a black line pattern enhanced the attractiveness of blue visual targets, whereas yellow lines decreased attractiveness. Sensory input from the compound eye and the ocellus seems to be integrated to direct fly behavior. There is a direct correlation of house fly attractiveness to visual targets and the intensity of electrophysiological response, except for the yellow targets, which repel flies despite of intense electrophysiological response.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Lee W. Cohnstaedt, Roberto M. Pereira

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Musca domestica