Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 27 August 1971:
Vol. 173. no. 3999, pp. 822 - 823
DOI: 10.1126/science.173.3999.822
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Insect Photoreceptor: An Internal Ocellus Is Present in Sphinx Moths

John L. Eaton 1

1 Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

Adult sphinx moths lack external ocelli. In Manduca sexta and other anocellate moths structures homologous to ocelli have been observed. Histological examination of such a structure in Manduca sexta has shown structural similarities to ocelli of other insects. Electrophysiological studies revealed a response to light stimuli stimilar to the electroretinogram of external ocelli. The evidence strongly suggests that the structures are internal ocelli.

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)