Distinct activity-gated pathways mediate attraction and aversion to CO₂ in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Carbon dioxide is produced by many organic processes and is a convenient volatile cue for insects¹ that are searching for blood hosts², flowers³, communal nests⁴, fruit⁵ and wildfires⁶. Although Drosophila melanogaster feed on yeast that produce CO₂ and ethanol during fermentation, laboratory experiments^7-12 suggest that walking flies avoid CO₂. Here we resolve this paradox by showing that both flying and walking Drosophila find CO₂ attractive, but only when they are in an active state associated with foraging. Their aversion to CO₂ at low-activity levels may be an adaptation to avoid parasites that seek CO₂, or to avoid succumbing to respiratory acidosis in t

SUBMITTER: van Breugel F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6314688 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature