EFFECTS OF LIGHT DEPRIVATION ON VISUALLY GUIDED BEHAVIOR EARLY IN THELIFE OF GRYLLUS-BIMACULATUS (ORTHOPTERA, GRYLLIDAE)

Orientation toward vertical black stripes on a white background was us ed to evaluate the effects of light deprivation on the visually guided behavior of the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus (De Geer). One group of c rickets was reared in a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h and the other gro up in total darkness. Orientation preference of both groups was determ ined by calculating the percentage of crickets walking toward the stri pes or the background. Eight spatial and temporal parameters of moveme nt were analyzed. Light deprivation affected most of the parameters an d impaired visually guided behavior. These effects were partially comp ensated for during ontogeny and following exposure to light. Our resul ts suggest that the mechanisms governing vision in invertebrates must mature and be exposed to stimulation to develop normally, as in verteb rates.