MODULATION OF THE REFLEX CARDIAC RESPONSE IN PROTOPHORMIA-TERRAENOVAETO GUSTATORY STIMULATION

The results of the present study demonstrate that series of gustatory stimulations can induce shortening of the cardiac cycle in the blowfly , Protophormia terraenovae. This effect is due to a decrease in durati on of one of the two phases which compose the cardiac cycle, that is t he Fast-phase. No changes in action potential frequency of either phas e were evoked by stimulation. The data are discussed in terms of senso ry-induced changes in hemolymph circulation, which may function to opt imize the insect's performance with respect to a state of alertness.