Bumblebees measure optic flow for position and speed control flexibly within the frontal visual field.
(2015) In Journal of Experimental Biology 218(7). p.1051-1059- Abstract
- When flying through narrow spaces, insects control their position by balancing the magnitude of apparent image motion (optic flow) experienced in each eye and their speed by holding this value about a desired set-point. Previously, it has been shown that when bumblebees encounter sudden changes in the proximity to nearby surfaces - as indicated by a change in the magnitude of optic flow on each side of the visual field - they adjust their flight speed well before the change, suggesting that they measure optic flow for speed control at low visual angles in the frontal visual field. Here, we investigate the effect that sudden changes in the magnitude of translational optic flow have on both position and speed control in bumblebees if these... (More)
- When flying through narrow spaces, insects control their position by balancing the magnitude of apparent image motion (optic flow) experienced in each eye and their speed by holding this value about a desired set-point. Previously, it has been shown that when bumblebees encounter sudden changes in the proximity to nearby surfaces - as indicated by a change in the magnitude of optic flow on each side of the visual field - they adjust their flight speed well before the change, suggesting that they measure optic flow for speed control at low visual angles in the frontal visual field. Here, we investigate the effect that sudden changes in the magnitude of translational optic flow have on both position and speed control in bumblebees if these changes are asymmetrical, that is, if they occur only on one side of the visual field. Our results reveal that the visual region over which bumblebees respond to optic flow cues for flight control is not dictated by a set viewing angle. Instead, they appear to use the maximum magnitude of translational optic flow experienced in the frontal visual field. This strategy ensures that bumblebees use the translational optic flow generated by the nearest obstacles - that is, those with which they have the highest risk of colliding - to control flight. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/5145296
- author
- Linander, Nellie LU ; Dacke, Marie LU and Baird, Emily LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2015
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Journal of Experimental Biology
- volume
- 218
- issue
- 7
- pages
- 1051 - 1059
- publisher
- The Company of Biologists Ltd
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:25657205
- wos:000354113300020
- scopus:84927587798
- pmid:25657205
- ISSN
- 1477-9145
- DOI
- 10.1242/jeb.107409
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- de4300f1-6416-4925-99a4-0c5db7d5cc85 (old id 5145296)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 10:50:34
- date last changed
- 2024-01-21 23:38:11
@article{de4300f1-6416-4925-99a4-0c5db7d5cc85,
abstract = {{When flying through narrow spaces, insects control their position by balancing the magnitude of apparent image motion (optic flow) experienced in each eye and their speed by holding this value about a desired set-point. Previously, it has been shown that when bumblebees encounter sudden changes in the proximity to nearby surfaces - as indicated by a change in the magnitude of optic flow on each side of the visual field - they adjust their flight speed well before the change, suggesting that they measure optic flow for speed control at low visual angles in the frontal visual field. Here, we investigate the effect that sudden changes in the magnitude of translational optic flow have on both position and speed control in bumblebees if these changes are asymmetrical, that is, if they occur only on one side of the visual field. Our results reveal that the visual region over which bumblebees respond to optic flow cues for flight control is not dictated by a set viewing angle. Instead, they appear to use the maximum magnitude of translational optic flow experienced in the frontal visual field. This strategy ensures that bumblebees use the translational optic flow generated by the nearest obstacles - that is, those with which they have the highest risk of colliding - to control flight.}},
author = {{Linander, Nellie and Dacke, Marie and Baird, Emily}},
issn = {{1477-9145}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{7}},
pages = {{1051--1059}},
publisher = {{The Company of Biologists Ltd}},
series = {{Journal of Experimental Biology}},
title = {{Bumblebees measure optic flow for position and speed control flexibly within the frontal visual field.}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.107409}},
doi = {{10.1242/jeb.107409}},
volume = {{218}},
year = {{2015}},
}