Is pattern vision in insects mediated by 'cortical' processing?

Article Abstract:

The mechanism by which the visual system of bees recognize and analyze orientation was investigated. The results showed that specific features of patterns such as bars or edges are extracted and their orientation analyzed as in the mammalian cortex. This contradicts the common view that insect vision relies mainly on directional movement signals generated when insects approach or fly past a pattern, and suggests a similarity between insects and higher vertebrates in the principles underlying the analysis of pattern orientation.

Bees

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Feature-detecting neurons in dragonflies

Article Abstract:

The discovery of bar-sensitive, orientation-based cells from the third optic ganglion of dragonflies (Hemicordulia tau) is reported. The cells are one of several classes of third optic ganglion cells whose selective responses to different target classes show similarities with cells from areas 17, 18 and 19 of the mammalian visual cortex. Thus, insects are also capable of extracting spatial features from visual scenes, which suggests convergent evolution of the visual systems of insects and mammals.

Dragonflies

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Honeybees link sights to smells

Article Abstract:

The human brain exhibits cross-modal associative recall. Studies were undertaken to determine whether this capacity extends to insects, and trained honeybees were found to be able to recall a specific colour when encountering a particular scent. Two types of stimulus were presented sequentially and the scent of mango evoked recall of the colour yellow and the scent of lemon evoked recall of the colour blue, in trained bees.

Physiological aspects, Behavior, Insects, Honeybee

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