Perception and the Characteristics of the Response of Honey Bees, Paper Wasps, and Red Wood Ants to a Low-Frequency Elec
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LEX SYSTEMS BIOPHYSICS
Perception and the Characteristics of the Response of Honey Bees, Paper Wasps, and Red Wood Ants to a Low-Frequency Electric Field E. K. Eskov* Russian State Agricultural Correspondence University, Balashikha, Moscow oblast, 143900 Russia *e-mail: [email protected] Received February 10, 2019; revised February 18, 2020; accepted February 19, 2020
Abstract—Bees, wasps, and ants have no specialized receptors for the perception of an electric field. An appropriate response to naturally occurring electric fields in bees and ants is associated with atmospheric exposure, amplified by the approach of the front of a thunderstorm. The primary transducers of mechanoreceptors that respond to displacement are related to the perception of low-frequency electric fields of high intensity by insects. The non-specific mechanism of perception of electric fields is based on irritation by induced currents that flow in the locations of their contact with each other and/or conductive surfaces. The frequency dependence of the electric field sensitivity is determined mainly by the magnitude of the current induced by it and the intensity of its contact action. The magnitude of the current induced in the outer part of the insect body is non-linearly related to the frequency of the electric field. The region with the highest sensitivity to electric fields is close to 500 Hz, which is consistent with the maximum magnitude of the induced current. At the same time, the threshold of the sensitivity to an electric field in wasps is approximately 0.04 kV/m, while in bees it is 0.45 kV/m. Ants react to the action of an electric field of 7–10 kV/m by slowing their movement. Magnetic fields and ionization, which accompany the generation of an electric field whose intensity reaches 15–20 kV/m, do not stimulate changes in the behavior of insects. Keywords: bees, wasps, ants, electric field, sensitivity, behavior anomalies, adequate response DOI: 10.1134/S0006350920030045
INTRODUCTION The Earth’s biosphere is exposed to natural electromagnetic influences of a wide frequency range, from slow changes in magnetic and electric fields to gamma radiation. Natural electromagnetic processes are augmented by anthropogenic impacts on the biosphere, which are increasing in range and intensity. Anthropogenic electric fields (EFs) and magnetic fields (MFs) are comparable in intensity to natural EFs and MFs and in some situations exceed them. In animals, EFs and MFs affect electric processes in cells, tissues, and organs. Therefore, natural and anthropogenic EFs and MFs, regardless of the presence or absence of specialized EF receptors in animals, affect their physiological state [1–6]. Depending on the lifestyle and level of organization, animals react differently to EFs to protect themselves from their adverse effects. Highly organized social insects are usually protected from various extreme impacts by coordinated efforts of large groups or all adults of the colony. There is an appropriate response to typical physical or biotic stimuli in so
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