Response of various body parts of house flies, Musca domestica, to sucrose

Abstract

Insects use multiple body parts, not just their mouth, to taste. Whether a particular body part has a taste function can be determined by examining the morphology or electrophysiological response of its sensilla (sense organs) or by its behavioral response. This study investigated the taste response of each of the three pairs of tarsi, tibiae, femurs, as well as the antennae and wings, in house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae). This was done by measuring the proboscis extension response (PER), and in the case of the wings, also the grooming behavior. PER is a visible precursor to consumption. The fore, middle, and hind tarsi of both male and female house flies distinguished between sucrose solution versus water. The fore tibiae and femurs of females and the middle femurs of males also made this distinction. Of the body parts tested, the middle, and especially the fore, tarsi were the ones most responsive to sucrose. Contact of aristae (part of the antennae) did not elicit PER regardless of whether contact was with a toothpick that had been soaked in sucrose, water, or nothing. For both males and females, neither the proportion of flies exhibiting PER nor the duration of grooming was significantly affected by whether the anterior wing margin was contacted with a toothpick that had been soaked in sucrose, water, or a dry toothpick.