STUDIES OF THE COMPOUND EYE OF LYMANTRIA DISPAR (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE) MALES, AND BEHAVIORAL IMPLICATIONS

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Abstract
Male gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar (L.)) have a superposition compound eye. Electroretinogram (ERG) responses indicate low sensitivity in the ultraviolet region, higher sensitivity from 480 to 590 nm, and essentially no sensitivity in the red region. The microspectrophotometric absorption spectrum of the visual screening pigments shows low absorption in the ultraviolet and red regions and high absorption from 400 to 600 nm. Screening pigments migrate in response to illumination during diurnal activity periods, so the eye acts in the photopic mode. Because these pigments are essentially transparent to ultraviolet wavelengths, the eye may be in effect acting simultaneously in the scotopic mode for these wavelengths.