COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Novel mechanisms of mate localization in plant-dwelling insects: an integration of behavior, neurobiology and biomechanics

PI：Reginald B。CocroftProposal # IOS-0820533合作研究：植物昆虫交配定位的新机制：行为，神经生物学和生物力学的整合。食草昆虫是地球上最丰富多样的生物之一，对自然生态系统和农业都有重大影响。对于许多这些昆虫，生存和繁殖取决于检测植物表面的低振幅振动，由潜在的配偶，竞争对手或天敌的活动产生。然而，尽管植物传播的振动对昆虫行为和生态学很重要，但两个基本问题仍然没有答案。首先，一只小昆虫如何确定同一植物上其他地方振动源的方向？第二，昆虫能否利用植物茎和叶在振动传递过程中的复杂运动来估计它与振动源的距离？为了回答这些问题，一个跨学科的团队已经聚集了行为，神经生物学，机械工程和计算建模方面的专业知识。该团队将开发新的研究工具，并使用它们来了解昆虫行为如何受到机械振动的指导，使用计算模型来整合行为实验，感觉神经生理学和生物力学测量的结果。该团队先前的研究揭示了昆虫可能用于感知的令人惊讶的信息来源;例如，昆虫身体的运动，依靠其六条腿，可以对植物传播的振动的传播方向高度敏感。拟议的研究结果将改变目前对机械振动如何影响生态和经济上最重要的生物群体之一的行为的理解。更广泛的影响：由于团队合作对科学进步越来越重要，该项目的主要目标将是培养研究生在跨学科研究中所需的技能。最后，在研究过程中获得的见解可能会导致定向振动传感器的设计，这可能会对许多行业产生影响。

PI: Reginald B. CocroftProposal # IOS-0820533COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Novel mechanisms of mate localization in plant-dwelling insects: an integration of behavior, neurobiology and biomechanics. Plant-feeding insects are among the most abundant and diverse organisms on earth, with a major impact on both natural ecosystems and agriculture. For many of these insects, survival and reproduction depend on the detection of low-amplitude vibrations of the plant surface, generated by the activity of potential mates, competitors, or natural enemies. However, in spite of the importance of plant-borne vibrations for insect behavior and ecology, two fundamental questions remain unanswered. First, how can a small insect determine the direction of a vibration source elsewhere on the same plant? And second, can an insect use the complex motion of plant stems and leaves during vibration transmission to estimate its distance from the source? To answer these questions, an interdisciplinary team has been assembled with expertise in behavior, neurobiology, mechanical engineering, and computational modeling. The team will develop new research tools and use them to understand how insect behavior is guided by mechanical vibrations, using computational models to integrate the results of behavioral experiments, sensory neurophysiology, and biomechanical measurements. Previous research by this team has revealed surprising sources of information that insects may use in sensing; for example, the motion of an insect body, resting on its six legs, can be highly sensitive to the direction of travel of a plant-borne vibration. Results of the proposed research will transform the current understanding of how mechanical vibrations influence the behavior of one of the most ecologically and economically important groups of organisms. Broader impacts: Because collaborative teamwork is increasingly important for scientific progress, a major goal of the project will be to train graduate students in the skills needed for a career in interdisciplinary research. Finally, insights gained during the study could lead to the design of directional vibration sensors that could have an impact on many industries.