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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353833
Research Project: Ecology and Management of Grasshoppers and Other Rangeland and Crop Insects in the Great Plains

Location: Pest Management Research

Title: Magnetic compasses in insects

Author
item RIVEROS, ANDRE - Universidad Del Rosario, Columbia
item Srygley, Robert

Submitted to: Elsevier
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/2019
Publication Date: 2/15/2019
Citation: Riveros, A.J., Srygley, R.B. 2019. Magnetic compasses in insects. In: Choe, J.C., editor. Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. 2nd edition. Elsevier/Academic Press. p. 588–597. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.01251-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.01251-6

Interpretive Summary: Using magnetic information for orientation and navigation is widespread in animals. Insects use magnetic information for simple body alignment, homing or during long-distance migrations. Most often, insects use a polarity compass, orienting by the North–South axis of the Earth’s magnetic field. However, recent studies also point to a role for magnetic inclination in insect orientation. Magnetic information is often coupled with other navigation compasses or cues, such as the sun or landmarks. Here, our current knowledge and future directions on magnetic compasses in insects is broadly reviewed, from the nature of the compass to the diversity of its uses. Understanding spatial orientation in insects is important for predicting where insects move and how to best guide beneficial insects and obstruct the movement of pests.

Technical Abstract: Using magnetic information for orientation and navigation is widespread in animals. Insects use magnetic information for simple body alignment, homing or during long-distance migrations. Most often, insects use a polarity compass, orienting by the North–South axis of the Earth’s magnetic field. However, recent studies also point to a role for magnetic inclination in insect orientation. Magnetic information is often coupled with other navigation compasses or cues, such as the sun or landmarks. Here, our current knowledge and future directions on magnetic compasses in insects is broadly reviewed, from the nature of the compass to the diversity of its uses.