High resolution measurement of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration changes by the labial palp organ of the moth Heliothis armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

In recordings of single unit action potentials, the responses of CO2-receptors in the labial palp organ of the moth Heliothis armigera to modulation of CO2-density around a background of 350 ppm were investigated. Modulation of CO2-density by square wave changes in concentration at constant barometric pressure evokes modulation of the spike rate. Modulation of CO2-density by square wave changes in barometric pressure at constant CO2-concentration evokes responses similar to those evoked by concentration modulation. For modulation depths of less than 1.5%, the output modulation depth is linearly related to the input; at higher modulation depths the gain decreases progressively. Using sinusoidal pressure modulation, the frequency dependence of both gain and output noise was determined over a range of 0.05 to 12.8 Hz. With increasing frequency the gain progressively increases at a rate of 2.4 dB/octave up to a maximum of 63 at 3 Hz; at higher frequencies, it decreases rapidly. The threshold sensitivity of the receptors, using input noise amplitude density as a criterion, is broadly tuned, with a minimum of 1 % contrast Hz-0.5 between 0.3 and 3 Hz. Using these figures, it is concluded that the sensory organ is capable of detecting fluctuations in CO2-density of 0.14% or 0.5 ppm. The results are related to the fluctuations in CO2-density which occur in a natural environment. Show more