THE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY OF THE TARSI OF CERTAIN MUSCID FLIES

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Abstract
Using methods similar to those previously employed by the author on Lepidoptera, it is shown that the tarsi of Phormia regina, P. terraenovae, and Lucilia sericata possess contact chemoreceptors which function as organs of taste. If after an appropriate period of inanition the tarsi flies are brought in contact with paraffin oil, proboscis extension occurs in much less than 20% of the cases, while the response to distilled water is 100%. After the administration of distilled water, however, the response to this stimulus shortly drops to 0 %. If now the flies are tested to 1 M saccharose the response is 100%. The feeding of 1 M saccharose diminishes the percentage of response about 20%, but does not reduce it to 0. The oral lobes at the tip of the proboscis also bear organs of taste which are even more sensitive than those of the tarsi.

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