The escape response of the cockroach Periplaneta americana has been characterized as a simple behavior: a cockroach turns away from an attacking predator and then runs. A set of wind-sensory giant interneurons has long been known to mediate this response. Based on studies from our laboratory and others, it has become clear that escape can be elicited by stimuli other than wind, and be mediated by sensory interneurons other than the classic giants. In behavioral studies we found that touch is a potent cue for escape, and we have identified several touch-sensory interneurons that appear likely to be involved in escape. We propose experiments to clarify the control of cockroach escape by wind-sensory interneurons, and to examine the organization of touch-sensory interneurons and their relationship to the wind- sensory system. The experiments will involve recording from and stimulating specific interneurons, mapping the afferent input to the interneurons, and assessing behavioral functions by multiple cell (electrolytic) and single cell (enzymatic injection) lesioning techniques. Even the "simple" escape response of insects shows evidence of complex multisensory control. Since the behavior also can be related to identified central neurons, it provides a model system for understanding sensorimotor integration at a cellular level.//
