biostudies-literatureHumberg THNIBIB NIH HHSSwiss National Science FoundationEuropean Research Council1260https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5871836biostudies-literatureUnknown9(1)To integrate changing environmental cues with high spatial and temporal resolution is critical for animals to orient themselves. Drosophila larvae show an effective motor program to navigate away from light sources. How the larval visual circuit processes light stimuli to control navigational decision remains unknown. The larval visual system is composed of two sensory input channels, Rhodopsin5 (Rh5) and Rhodopsin6 (Rh6) expressing photoreceptors (PRs). We here characterize how spatial and temporal information are used to control navigation. Rh6-PRs are required to perceive temporal changes of light intensity during head casts, while Rh5-PRs are required to control behaviors that allow navigation in response to spatial cues. We characterize how distinct behaviors are modulated and identifNature communicationsDedicated photoreceptor pathways in Drosophila larvae mediate navigation by processing either spatial or temporal cues.PMC5871836DP2 EB022359149499309832169993Samuel AAfonso BTruman JWBruegger PZlatic MHumberg THGershow MSprecher SGfalseDedicated photoreceptor pathways in Drosophila larvae mediate navigation by processing either spatial or temporal cues.To integrate changing environmental cues with high spatial and temporal resolution is critical for animals to orient themselves. Drosophila larvae show an effective motor program to navigate away from light sources. How the larval visual circuit processes light stimuli to control navigational decision remains unknown. The larval visual system is composed of two sensory input channels, Rhodopsin5 (Rh5) and Rhodopsin6 (Rh6) expressing photoreceptors (PRs). We here characterize how spatial and temporal information are used to control navigation. Rh6-PRs are required to perceive temporal changes of light intensity during head casts, while Rh5-PRs are required to control behaviors that allow navigation in response to spatial cues. We characterize how distinct behaviors are modulated and identif2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Mar2026-06-18T03:51:27.475Z2019-03-26T23:20:56ZS-EPMC58718362959325210.1038/s41467-018-03520-5