Dictionary > Insect Behavior

Insect Behavior

Insect Behavior Definition

An insect behavior refers to the various actions of an insect in response to a stimulus or to its environment. It covers a wide range of activities, such as feeding, locomotion, grooming, reproduction, learning, migration, and communication. (Ref. 1)

Some insect behaviors are driven by the effects of the pheromones. Insects release chemicals that affect the behavior of the other members of the same species as the latter perceive the released pheromones. When you see ants walking in a line and following one another they are really following a trail of pheromones that each one is leaving behind to show where to go. Most of these trails are by ants that are searching for food as they make their way back to the nest.

There are also insect behaviors that are influenced by environmental cues. Temperature, humidity, and toxins are some of the common environmental factors affecting insect behavior. Moths, for instance, show positive phototaxis, as they tend to fly towards the source of light.

Types of Insects Behavior

In general, there are two types of behavior observed in animals: (1) innate behavior and (2) learned behavior. The innate behavior is one that is inherent or instinctive. It is genetically wired to the organism. This is exemplified by the behaviors associated with the dorsal light reaction. As mentioned earlier, the moths tend to fly towards the source of light. The explanation for the moth’s behavior is still unclear. One possible reason is the instinctive tendency of the moth to keep the sun (light source) overhead or on its dorsal side. This is probably helping the moth to stay parallel to the ground. (Ref. 2)
Learned behavior is a type of behavior that the animal acquires through experience or learning. In insects, this learned behavior is exemplified by insects foraging for food. Honey bees, for instance, are able to learn from environmental signals to locate the food source. (Ref. 2)

See Also

References

  1. Hoy, M. A. (2019). Molecular Genetics of Insect Behavior. Insect Molecular Genetics, 413–461. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-815230-0.00011-x
  2. CK-12 Foundation. (2015, December 11). Insect Behavior. CK-12 Foundation; CK-12 Foundation. https://www.ck12.org/biology/insect-behavior/lesson/Insect-Behavior-Advanced-BIO-ADV/

©BiologyOnline. Content provided and moderated by BiologyOnline Editors.


You will also like...

Biological Cell Defense
Biological Cell Defense

Organisms employ different strategies to boost its defenses against antigens. Humans have an immune system to combat pat..

Pikas are an indicator species for climate change
Indicator Species and Endangered Species

Certain species are capable of expressing characteristics indicative of the state of the ecosystem they occupy. They are..

Human Neurology
Human Neurology

Human Neurology deals essentially with the nervous system of humans. It also features the various theories put forward b..

Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Learn about the general structure of a eukaryotic gene, the transcription factors, and post-transcriptional regulation....

dinosaurs
The Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs represented a major turn in the evolutionary development of organisms on Earth. The first dinosaurs were presu..

Early Mammals on Earth
Early Mammals on Earth

The Earth's ecosphere was rapidly changing and throwing up a wide range of ecological niches that new adaptive organisms..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics