昆虫对偏振光的响应及感受机理研究进展

Advances on response and perception mechanisms of insects to polarized light

偏振光是不同于普通光源的一种光,常指光矢量在某一个方向振动的光波,可分为线性偏振光、圆偏振光和椭圆偏振光等。目前已经发现自然界的偏振光影响许多昆虫的行为,如西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera的飞行导航、蛱蝶Heliconius cydno chioneus的觅偶、凤蝶Papilio aegeus产卵场所的选择等。金龟子对圆偏振光的反射可以作为一种分类的性状。昆虫复眼背部边缘区域(dorsal rim area,DRA)小眼是感受偏振光的主要器官,电生理学研究表明前视神经节是蝗虫偏振视觉通路的一部分。在匈牙利,已经开始利用偏振光研制步甲等昆虫的诱捕器。

Polarized light is different from common light, and it vibrates in one direction on light vectors and includes linear polarized light, circularly polarized light, elliptically polarized light, etc. It was verified that polarized light could affect behavior of many insects, such as flight navigation of Apis mellifera, mating of Heliconius cydno chioneus, selection of oviposition places by Papilio aegeus, etc. The reflection of circularly polarized light by scarab beetles could be used as a taxonomic character. Ommatidia accumulated in the dorsal rim area （DRA） of the compound eye are the main organs sensing polarized light. Electrophysiological studies recently showed that the anterior optic tubercle （AOTu） is a part of the polarization vision pathway of locusts. The polarized light traps have been developed for ground beetles in Hungary.