The photomechanic infrared receptor for the detection of forest fires in the beetle Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

1998 ◽  
Vol 182 (5) ◽  
pp. 647-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Schmitz ◽  
H. Bleckmann
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Infrared Receptor ◽  
Melanophila Acuminata

THE INFRARED RECEPTIVE FIELDS OF MELANOPHILA ACUMINATA (COLEOPTERA: BUPRESTIDAE)

1980 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. G. Evans ◽  
J. E. Kuster
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
Infrared Radiation ◽  
Solid Angle ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Melanophila Acuminata

AbstractReceptive fields of the infrared receptors located in sensory pits adjacent to the mesocoxal cavities of Melanophila acuminata were measured using a goniometric apparatus and plotted on a Mollweide homolographic projection. The receptive fields extend mainly in a lateral and ventral direction. The total receptive area in units of solid angle is 5.80 steradians but the simultaneous field of perception of infrared radiation of all the sensilla in a pit is only 0.42 steradian. Based on these findings and on other evidence we believe that the infrared-sensitive sensilla function during flight and are used by these beetles for detecting point sources of heat, such as forest fires, from long distances.

Beetles sniff out forest fires

Nature ◽  
1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Gee
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires
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