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Effects of photoperiod on the timing of larval wandering in Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
ROBERTS BRIAN,
HENRICH VINCENT,
GILBERT LAWRENCE I.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1987.tb00739.x
Subject(s) - biology , photoperiodism , larva , drosophila melanogaster , instar , zoology , circadian rhythm , ecology , botany , genetics , endocrinology , gene
. A rearing method is described that will allow the use of well‐timed larvae of Drosophila melanogaster (Canton S) in physiological investigations. Using a LD 16:8 h cycle and uncrowded rearing conditions, it was shown that photoperiod influences the departure of third instar larvae from the food (i.e. post‐feeding larvae or wandering behaviour). Larval wandering occurs during the scotophase, suggesting a gated event, and does not occur in larvae raised under constant light or in overcrowded cultures reared in a LD 1623 h cycle. Although the data suggest, but do not prove, the existence of circadian gating, the rearing regimen described will provide well‐timed post‐feeding larvae for future studies.