Orientation to and location of distant unseen targets, such as mates, nest sites or food, can be achieved by tracking odors emitted by the targets. The path that is traveled through air or water typically exhibits a regular side-to-side zigzagging pattern. In this award to Drs. Edmund Arbas and Mark Willis, control systems will be identified and the manner in which these systems interact and adapt to the unpredictable environmental conditions experienced during pursuit of the goal will be studied. The model system is the male tobacco hornworm moth, which locates its mate by flying up a wind-borne plume of pheromone-attractant released by the female. Flight patterns in a wind tunnel will be recorded by videotaping while electrical activity of the flight muscles is monitored. The results of this research will used as the basis of computer simulations of the behavior. This work will contribute basic knowledge about movement control and how it is modulated by adaptations to the environment.
