Honors Theses
Sex-Dependent Electrophysiological Responses of Lucilia sericata to Concentration Gradient of Indole
Advisor
Karolyn Hansen
Department
Premedicine
Publication Date
Spring 4-2014
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
I investigated the responses to specific concentrations of indole in the adult stage of Lucilia sericata, the common green bottle fly. Indole is a commonly used attractant at concentrations between 0 and .04% that has a floral scent at low concentrations and a fecal odor at high concentrations (Cragg, 1950). There were three treatment cages: one all male, one all female, and one mixed male and female. The purpose of these conditions was to observe the difference between sensory responses of males, non-mated females, and mated females. All cages were placed in an incubator to maintain uniform temperatures and light cycles. All treatment cages also received the identical diet to reduce extraneous variables. I measured the response to a concentration gradient of indole through the use of the electroantennogram, an instrument that records electrical depolarizations occurring in the antennae of the specimen being studied when exposed to
specific volatiles. Positive controls and negative controls were used to establish a baseline for responses; the results using the treatment volatile indole were compared to these controls. I hypothesized that the responses of males, non-mated females, and mated females would differ from one other due to their different dietary needs. The males were expected to respond to the lower concentrations of indole; the non-mated females to lower and higher concentrations almost equally; and the mated females to lower concentrations and strongly to higher concentrations. Although responses were not as distinct as expected, the data follows the general trend of the responses predicted.
Permission Statement
This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.
Keywords
Undergraduate research
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
eCommons Citation
Filbrandt, Erin T., "Sex-Dependent Electrophysiological Responses of Lucilia sericata to Concentration Gradient of Indole" (2014). Honors Theses. 25.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/uhp_theses/25
